Team grieves for coach
Tomlin remembers his receivers coach and good friend on gray day in Latrobe
Mike Tomlin first came across Darryl Drake in 1997 when he was a young receivers coach at Arkansas State. Because of Drake’s reputation as one of the best wide receiver coaches in college football, Tomlin reached out to him in an attempt to learn something about coaching that position.
That began a relationship and friendship that spanned more than 20 years ago, making what has transpired the past 48 hours all the more difficult for the Steelers head coach.
“We’re all devastated,” Tomlin said on Tuesday, his first public comments since Drake, 62, was found dead in his dormitory room Sunday morning at Saint Vincent College. “I really can’t think of any other appropriate words.”
Speaking in measured and reverential tones about his long- time friend during a news conference, Tomlin said the Steelers have spent the past couple days trying to be supportive of Drake’s family, in particular his wife, Sheila, and three daughters. Drake was in his second season as the Steelers’ receivers coach.
After two days off, the Steelers returned to practice Tuesday afternoon under a gray, misty sky that reflected the mood of the players, coaches and organization.
“Professionally, the loss is significant,” Tomlin said. “Personally, it is even bigger. Those of us who knew and had personal relationships with coach Drake all feel that way.”
Tomlin said the Steelers brought in professional grief counselors to make them available for players and coaching staff. Tomlin cancelled practice Sunday and switched the players off day from Tuesday to Monday to give the team time to deal with the loss of their coach.
“It’s been said counseling is
not for the weak, but the wise,” Tomlin said. “We thought it appropriate to switch days off to provide opportunity to grieve, to see counselors, in whatever ways an individual saw fit.”
Tomlin said he didn’t think it was appropriate right now to discuss what he will do to replace Drake on his coaching staff. Drake was hired before the 2018 season to replace Richard Mann as receivers coach.
“Coaching was coach Drake’s platform for ministry,” Tomlin said. “Coaching was his vocation, but he was a father a brother, an advisor.”
Tomlin’s relationship with Drake goes back more than 20 years when he was in charge of wide receivers at Arkansas State and Drake had just become the offensive coordinator at Baylor after spending five years as the receivers coach at Georgia. Tomlin said he reached out to Drake because “he was viewed as one of the top wide receiver coaches in the college game.”
Said Tomlin, managing a smile: “I was politely aggressive in building a relationship with him. He probably didn’t have a choice to be my friend. I was too persistent. He extended courtesies to me, like he does. He sent me drill tapes. We developed a rapport and our relationship grew from there.”
The Steelers will resume camp as usual the remainder of the week. They practice Wednesday and Thursday before leaving camp for good on Friday. They play their second preseason game Saturday night against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field.
Fans attending practice will see a makeshift memorial for Drake set up near the parking entrance on campus.
“Our time and attention in recent days has been spent in support of the Drake family – Miss Sheila and daughters.” Tomlin said. “Many of us have had the opportunity to spend time with them through this. They’ve been amazing. We’ve tried to be supportive organizationally as we can be in what is a very difficult time.”
Reminders of Shazier
Tomlin said Devin Bush’s
performance in his first game with the Steelers – 10 tackles, seven solo, in the first half alone – reminded him of another player’s debut with the team.
“It was really kind of reminiscent for me of Ryan Shazier’s first home preseason game a number of years ago, in terms of production and getting around and making a number of plays,” Tomlin said of his No. 1 draft pick. “He’s going to continue to write his story in terms of development and usefulness.”
Injury update
Cornerback Joe Haden, who left practice last week after having his foot stepped on, has a contusion but could return soon, Tomlin indicated.
Tomlin would not reveal what’s wrong with C Maurkice Pouncey, who has not practiced since leaving the Sunday night practice at Heinz Field on Aug. 4. “I don’t get into details, but he’ll probably be back sooner than later.”
Idled starters
Only four starters played in the first preseason game, an unusual low amount, but Tomlin said part of that had to do with injuries to players sustained in camp.
“I wouldn’t call it a departure from philosophy,” Tomlin said. “It was appropriate based on current variables.”