Mike Nixon’s story should resonate with Steelers fans—a son of Pittsburgh’s coal country who carved a path in the NFL. Born into a Serbian immigrant family, Nixon’s life of hard work, football, and resilience mirrors the unwavering loyalty of the Steel City. Guided by mentors Jock Sutherland and Joe Kuharich, and touched by personal loss, Nixon’s journey from player to coach, ending with his tough 1965 season with the Steelers, showcases a man who never quit.
Early Life and College Career at Pitt
Born Michael Nicksick on November 21, 1911, in Masontown, Pennsylvania, Nixon grew up with his brother Ted in a coal-mining family.