Chuck Noll’s first year was 1-13 — but the successful decision leading to four Super Bowls came a few years earlier

From the cellar to elite to perpetual mediocrity

What many Pittsburgh Steeler fans realize today is the record of its founder, Art Rooney, Sr., the “Chief.” While he is now beloved, the won-loss record from 1933 until Chuck Noll was hired in 1969 was 164 wins, 267 losses, and 19 ties.

That was a winning percentage of 38.5 percent, not exactly what the Steelers became known for during the 1970s.

For example, the team had losing records from 1964 until 1972. However, the team actually started moving in the right direction in 1969 when they hired Chuck Noll. Still, Chuck was 1-13 in his first season when the future Hall of Famer started constructing the foundation of what later became an elite franchise.

Noll’s teams did not have a winning season until 1972 when they compiled an 11-3 record and made the NFL playoffs for the first time. The team also won its first postseason victory by defeating the Oakland Raiders via the Immaculate Reception.

By the 1974 season, Chuck Noll’s team had captured its first Super Bowl and won four in six years — and suddenly became an elite franchise.

Descent from elite to mediocrity -- or worse

Over the last 45 years, the Steeler fans like to call their franchise “elite,” but a franchise that has won just three playoff games in the past 16 years, none since 2016, cannot call itself elite.

They have descended into mediocrity, yet brag that they have not had any losing records over Mike Tomlin’s 19 years, which ended today — even though he had three 8-8 seasons. The truth is that the Steelers are on the verge of falling into the lower half of the NFL, which may not be a bad thing.

The truth is that the Steelers may do better if they have some losing seasons. They need a rebuild, and they need to cut some of the most expensive defense in the NFL and overall and start building a foundation like the New England Patriots have done.

Patriots’ template

Yes, those Patriots who now are back on the road to another Super Bowl — which would give them a new record as they and the Steelers are tied at 6. How did they do it?

Bellichick and Tom Brady won 17 division titles, 9 AFC championships and six Super Bowls. After Brady left, the Pats posted four losing records in the next five years under Bellichick, including a 4-13 record in 2023, his last season.

However, they started to rebuild during that time, and what they did is hire a great young coach, Mike Vrabel, and drafted a franchise QB, Derek Maye, who is now a candidate for NFL MVP.

Eliminating the Rooney influence

This is what the Steelers may do. While they have not had losing seasons, they are mediocre at best. They need to clean house, like the Steelers did when they hired Chuck Noll.

However, the housecleaning started a few years earlier when the Chief stepped aside and gave the reins to his son, Dan.

While the Chief was handed the four Lombardis won by Chuck Noll’s teams, Dan Rooney was the one who orchestrated the building of the Steelers into a Super Bowl contender.

Technically, the Steelers say that Dan Rooney took over day to day operations in 1969, he actually assumed those duties in 1967. His first hire was terrible as Bill Austin lasted only one year before he hired Chuck Noll in 1969.

The decision of the Chief to give his sons the reins was the determinant in changing the direction of the franchise, and that is what the Steelers must do right now.

This drift from elite to mediocrity or worse came under the Art Rooney II’s leadership over the past 15 years. The turning point actually occurred earlier when Dan Rooney was selected by President Barack Obama to become ambassador to Ireland.

When Dan stepped aside, his son has demonstrated that he is closer to his grandfather than to his father.

The Steeler ownership has to cut its ties with AR II as its CEO — and he does not have a son who is ready to assume this task. AR II is now 73 years old, and it is time for a change.

The Steelers must clean house from top to bottom if they want to regain the elite status — and it may take a few losing seasons to accomplish that.

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