Grimm considers return to NFL coaching ranks

After Ken Whisenhunt was named head coach of the Tennessee Titans, he and Russ Grimm, who was one of Whisenhunt’s assistant coaches at Arizona, reached a “mutual decision” to end their partnership in coaching. But that doesn’t mean Grimm  is officially done coaching in the NFL.

“I’m semi-retired,” Grimm, a Southmoreland graduate of 1977, told the Tam O’Shanter recently.

After almost two years of being out of coaching, Grimm said he will be looking to return to the NFL next season. Being a head coach is something Grimm, who once was considered a top NFL head coaching prospect, said he no longer sees himself doing. “I ‘m probably already passed that stage,” he said.

“It’s one thing to be good, but you also must be lucky.”

– Russ Grimm

Grimm, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 as an offensive lineman from the Washington Redskins, said he doesn’t have any specific teams that he favors to coach, but that he is more interested in the staff that he would be working with.

Lately, Grimm said he has been occupying his time with hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle in Arizona, where he is currently living. Grimm does have plans to move back to the east coast within the next year or two. Although he probably wont move back to Scottdale, he has a deep appreciation for his hometown.

“I love Scottdale,” he said. “If I had a choice, I would raise a family in western Pennsylvania. They teach family values there.”

“I always say that there are three things that motivate a player; pride, money, and fear.”

– Russ Grimm

Looking back at his high school career at Southmoreland Grimm, who played quarterback and linebacker, still remembers “almost every guy” he played against on the Mount Pleasant football team. Beating the Vikings, he said, “was something  that I’ll never forget.” Grimm’s teams beat the Vikings twice in the three games in which he played.

This Friday Southmoreland will be playing Mt. Pleasant on the field that was named after him.

“Take advantage of every opportunity you get,” Grimm said as advice to the team. “It’ll be a memory that you’ll have forever”

1 Comment on Grimm considers return to NFL coaching ranks

  1. What a terrific and informative article, I’m sure this was a great experience to be able to speak with Mr Grimm.

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