Steelers could hike Haley’s woes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — If Todd Haley looks across the field at Mike Tomlin today and feels a twinge of envy, could anybody blame him?

It does seem as though opportunity is served in silver goblets to some people, while others pick through shards and scraps.

Haley’s grueling maiden voyage as a head coach in the NFL has been marked by failure, controversy, frustration and setback. He took over the woebegone Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise which had won only six games in two years, and it’s been rough sailing for the former Steelers water boy.

But Tomlin stepped happily into Bill Cowher’s shoes in Pittsburgh and found a perfect fit. He won the AFC North his first season and the Super Bowl his second.

Tomlin takes bows. Haley takes shots.

As his Chiefs (2-7) prepared to host the Steelers (6-3), Haley was being accused by various disgruntled fans of being ignorant and abusive, an arrogant hothead.

He has tried to meet the criticism calmly — a demeanor he acknowledges he doesn’t always show when snarling at players.

“This is a hard job. It’s a big job and I’m finding my way through it,” Haley said. “I would hope that nobody thinks that I’m arrogant in going about the job. I’m fighting for my life, to be honest, and that’s the way I feel each and every day.”

Haley has been criticized for firing offensive coordinator Chan Gailey 13 days before the season opener and assuming the position himself. He’s taken heat for his handling of players, for cursing at them during games. He’s also been taken apart for some questionable tactical decisions such as going and failing on fourth down.

“I think I’ve tried to be open and forthright that I don’t have all the answers,” Haley said. “I feel like I’ve tried to apologize when I’ve said something wrong or inappropriate. I’ve always tried to do that with my players and everybody.”

Tomlin inherited a much more talented team than Haley. But he can sympathize with all the travails of this week’s opponent.

“It’s difficult because there’s no manual for these jobs,” he said. “Like myself, coach Haley’s been around some great teams and great coaches, so he’s had plenty of examples of how to go about what it is that we do. But the first time you get an opportunity to do it, it’s just that. You’ve thought about it a thousand times in your mind what you would do in certain situations and so forth, but it’s a little different when you actually get to do it.

“It’s an adjustment period. But ultimately, you’re not put in that position unless you’re capable.”

In spite of his many run-ins with players, Haley has never seemed in danger of losing the team’s respect.

“He tells us when he’s made a mistake,” said running back Kolby Smith. “He’s tough on us, sure, but he treats us fairly.”

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