Super Showdown Matchups: Steelers Vs. Cardinals

TOMLIN VS. WHISENHUNT – BATTLE OF THE NEW HEAD COACHES Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Youngest Head Coach To Lead Team To Super Bowl Mike Tomlin, the youngest head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl, was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007. Tomlin became only the third head coach hired by the Steelers since 1969. He was 34 years old. Prior to joining the Steelers, Tomlin spent the 2006 season as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator. He spent the previous five seasons (2001-05) as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2002, Tomlin guided one of the most productive defensive backfields in the NFL, culminating with its performance in Super Bowl XXXVII. On the collegiate level, Tomlin coached at the University of Cincinnati, Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State, University of Memphis and Virginia Military Institute. Tomlin was a three-year starter at wide receiver at William and Mary (1990-94). Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Returns To Super Bowl For Matchup Against Former Team The former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant on Bill Cowher’s staff became an NFL head coach for the first time when he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, the same year Tomlin was hired as head coach of the Steelers. Before heading west, Whisenhunt served six seasons with the Steelers, the first three as tight ends coach and the last three as offensive coordinator. He helped the black and gold to victory in Super Bowl XL. Whisenhunt also coached at the pro level with the Jets (2000), Browns (1999) and Ravens (1997-98). He began his coaching career in the collegiate ranks with Vanderbilt (1995-96). Whisenhunt was selected in the 12th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by Atlanta and went on to play nine NFL seasons with the Falcons (1985-88), Redskins (1989-90) and Jets (1991-93). He graduated from Georgia Tech where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. WARD VS. FITZGERALD – BATTLE OF THE PITTSBURGH STARS Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Tough Receiver With Big Smile Ward returns to the World Championship with an MVP of Super Bowl XL honor. The wide receiver, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998, is well known for his toughness on the field. In college, Ward played for the University of Georgia. He received a bachelor's degree in Consumer Economics. It was discovered after college that Ward was missing an ACL in his left knee. He lost it during a bicycle accident when he was young. That didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Steelers from drafting him. He has been with the team, showing off his hands, quickness, toughness and smile, ever since. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver Pitt Grad With Loads Of Talent Fitzgerald, who was drafted third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, is no stranger to Pittsburgh. He played on the Steelers home turf, Heinz Field, with the University of Pittsburgh. Fitzgerald is considered one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the college game and has become a star in the NFL. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said during the news conference before the Super Bowl that Fitzgerald is one of the best receivers in the league. Fitzgerald set a single postseason record with 419 receiving yards, surpassing Jerry Rice. HOLMES VS. BREASTON – BATTLE OF THE ATHLETES Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Former Buckeye Who Can Fly Holmes left Ohio State a year early and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was the first and only receiver taken in the first round. The fast wide receiver also returns punts. He returned one for a TD in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers this year. Holmes was born in Florida and was a letterman in football, basketball, and track in high school. He is the second cousin of Jacksonville Jaguars' running back Fred Taylor. Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver Pittsburgher Playing Against Pittsburgh The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He was a star wide receiver at Woodland Hills High School and one of the best players to ever play in the WPIAL. He was a letterman in football and track and field at Woody High. Breaston went on to play for the Michigan Wolverines and became the best return man in school history. With 156 career receptions, he had the fifth most in Michigan history. Breaston was drafted by Arizona in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Breaston had a breakout year this year. After perennial Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin suffered a serious injury, Breaston was put into the Cardinals' starting line-up.