Steelers' Bruce Arians retiring

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has decided to retire after days of speculation that he would do so.

Arians, 59, has been the only offensive coordinator in coach Mike Tomlin's five seasons with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh ranked in the top half of the NFL in offense over the past three seasons but finished a disappointing 12th this past season.

He had contemplated retirement at the end of the 2010 season because of health problems. During his time as coordinator, he turned the Steelers from a run-first team to a pass-heavy one to better suit quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"Bruce Arians has informed me that he will retire from coaching," Tomlin said in a statement. "I appreciate his efforts over the past five years as the team's offensive coordinator and for helping lead our offense to new heights during his time with the Steelers. I am grateful to Bruce for contributing to our success and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement."

The Steelers have a history of promoting from within at offensive coordinator. Arians joined the Steelers in 2004 as the wide receivers coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2007.

Arians entered the NFL as a running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989 and he served as Peyton Manning's first quarterback coach.

His NFL résumé also includes stints with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

Jamison Hensley covers the AFC North for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Jamison Hensley

NFL

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• ESPN AFC North Blogger
• A University of Maryland graduate
• Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife