The challenge the Pittsburgh Steelers faced in their early years was competing with the more popular collegiate football in Pittsburgh. In 1946, Art Rooney and Bert Bell found the perfect solution.
Dr. Jock Sutherland had been the outstanding coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers from 1924 until he resigned in 1938. His resignation followed two years of wrangling with the athletic department after the university’s chancellor decided to reduce the emphasis on athletics and Sutherland decided it was time for him to move on.
Sutherland, who once stated he would never field a team that didn’t have a chance of winning, left behind an exemplary record of never coaching a losing season and with fielding unbeaten teams in 1927, 29, 32 and 37.