Russ Grimm life and biography

Russell Scott Grimm is a former American football guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. As a collegian, he was an All-American center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a professional, Grimm had multi-selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Grimm played 11 seasons for the Redskins and was a first team selection to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. He is currently the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals.

* Joined the Cardinals on 1/23/07 when he became the team’s assistant head coach/offensive line.
* Given the additional title of run game coordinator following 2008 season on 2/18/09.
* Selected to the seven-member Class of 2010 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on 2/6/10. Was among the 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame in 2010 after being a finalist for the past four years (2006-09)
* In 2008, his five offensive linemen started all 20 games during the season including Super Bowl XLIII.
* In 2007, Arizona’s offensive line ranked sixth in the NFL by allowing only 24 sacks, the lowest total for the team since 1978 (22).
* Spent 20 seasons with the Washington Redskins, the first 11 as an all-pro lineman (1981-91) and then as an assistant coach for nine seasons (1992-2000)
* In his career, his teams have earned four Super Bowl victories. Three as a player (XVII, XXII and XXVI) and one as a coach (XL).
* Earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1983-86) and was a first-team selection to the NFL’s 1980’s all-decade team.

Hall of Fame guard Russ Grimm begins his fourth season with the Cardinals as the assistant head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line after joining the team on 1/23/07. Grimm spent his first two seasons as assistant head coach/offensive line and was given the additional title of run game coordinator on 2/18/09. Previously with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same capacity, Grimm is beginning his 20th season as an NFL assistant after playing 11 years at guard for the Washington Redskins. He was selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past February after having been a finalist the past four years (2006-09).

Grimm, 51, spent six seasons with the Steelers coaching with current Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt before coming to Arizona. He joined the Steelers staff in 2001 as only the second offensive line coach in Bill Cowher's tenure and made an instant impact in developing the Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Grimm's value to the coaching staff was recognized by Cowher, who promoted Grimm to assistant head coach prior to the 2004 season, the only coach to hold that title under Cowher.

Last season, the Cardinals finished with 16 rushing touchdowns, the highest team total since recording 18 in 1998. Rookie running back Beanie Wells rushed for 793 yards, the second most in the NFL among rookies and his seven touchdowns in 2009 were tied (Denver-Knowshon Moreno) for tops among rookie running backs. In 2008, Grimm’s five regular offensive linemen started all 20 games during the regular season and postseason including Super Bowl XLIII. The offense finished with a top five ranking (4th overall) for the second consecutive season and rookie running back Tim Hightower set a franchise rookie mark with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Grimm made an immediate impact in his first season with Arizona in 2007. His offensive line allowed only 24 sacks, 6th best in the NFL and the fewest given up by the Cardinals since 1978 (22). Grimm’s offensive line also paved the way for running back Edgerrin James to rush for 1,222 yards, the fifth best total in team history.

The 2006 Steelers offensive line helped pave the way for running back Willie Parker to gain 1,494 yards and 13 touchdowns on 337 carries (4.4 yard avg.) and earn his first Pro Bowl selection. Pittsburgh’s offense finished the 2006 season with the 10th best rushing attack in the NFL, helping to give the Steelers the 7th ranked total offense in the league. Parker finished the season with the second and third top rushing performances of the year in the NFL with 223 rushing yards (32 att., TD) against Cleveland (12/7) and 213 yards (22 att., 2 TDs) vs. New Orleans (11/12).

Under Grimm’s guidance in 2005, the Super Bowl champion Steelers averaged nearly 140 yards rushing per game during the regular season to rank fifth in the NFL while also grinding out 181 rushing yards in their Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

While in Pittsburgh, Grimm molded a formidable and tough offensive front anchored by All-Pro guard Alan Faneca, who earned his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl and his fifth consecutive start in 2007, and center Jeff Hartings, who made his second Pro Bowl appearance in 2006 and developed into one of the best centers in the NFL in just six seasons.

A native of Scottdale, PA, Grimm began his NFL coaching career as Washington’s tight ends coach (1992-96) before moving to coach the Redskins offensive line for four seasons (1997-2000). He is credited with the development of Washington tackles Jon Jansen and five-time Pro Bowler Chris Samuels, who each earned starting spots as rookies on the Redskins' offensive line.

Grimm started 11 seasons at guard for the Redskins (1981-91) and helped lead the team to four Super Bowl appearances and three victories. He was voted to four consecutive Pro Bowls (1983-86), was a first-team selection to the 1980s all-decade team, and an original member of Washington’s renowned “Hogs” offensive line. During his playing days with the Redskins, Grimm was a teammate of Whisenhunt (1989-90).

He was among the 17 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the past three years (2007-09) and among the 10 finalists in 2006.

An All-American center at Pitt who helped his team to a 22-2 record over his junior and senior seasons, Grimm was selected by the Redskins in the third round (69th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. His younger brother, Donn, was a starting linebacker on Notre Dame's 1988 national championship team and signed with the Cardinals as a rookie free agent in 1991.

Grimm punted, played quarterback and linebacker at Southmoreland High School while earning nine varsity letters and starring on the basketball team. He was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He has four children, Chad, an offensive assistant with the Cardinals, Cody, who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft and fraternal twins Devin and Dylan.

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