Mike Munchak, the quiet Steeler tutor: Major improvement has been the O Line



… Scranton native returned to Pa. and made major contribution 

To achieve success in sports, teachers are essential. Chuck Noll used to talk about himself as being an NFL teacher, a person who gave players direction, albeit in his own quiet way.

Such is the case for a quiet member of Coach Mike Tomlin's staff, the one who is rarely seen or heard from but whose tutoring has made major improvement in a significant way this season.

Mike Munchak

Mike Munchak is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame for his performance as a member of the Houston Oilers a few decades ago. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, a first-team all-pro four times, a second-team all-pro nine times as an offensive guard out of Penn State.

Teacher

As his playing career ended, Munchak continued to work for the Oilers who then moved to Tennessee. He developed a tremendous reputation of teaching linemen how to block for running backs and protect quarterbacks.

He then became the head coach of the Titans after Jeff Fisher left, but struggled for three years. He was fired after the 2013 season, which led him to return to Pa. and become the line coach for offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was really concerned about protecting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Improvement

Since he became line coach for the Steelers, Munchak has seen the running game improve and the number of sacks decrease. The Steelers allowed 43 sacks in 2013 the year before Munchak arrived, the line gave up just 21 this year in the regular season.

Munchak has been a great tutor for a young player like Alejandro Villaneuva, the left tackle who is starting in just his second season. Two players on that line, both number 1 picks, made the Pro Bowl this year, guard David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey.

Class act

However, what is great about Munchak is that, unlike one Steeler assistant, few people hear or see him. He is unobtrusive. He works hard with his guys on the field and in the film room, but he has received little commendation for the improvement in the line play -- the run game and the pass protection.

When he was with the Titans, he was told to fire six assistant coaches in his third year. He refused to do that to so many, and he was fired. He is a quiet, loyal guy who just wants to teach.

Munchak is a throwback to the class acts of the past in Steeler history.

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