RON RIVERA

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator

Coach: Rivera, 44, a former Bears linebacker, completed his third season as their defensive coordinator. His unit ranked fifth overall in yards allowed in 2006. It ranked second in 2005, when it allowed the fewest points in the league. Rivera coached the Eagles' linebackers for four seasons before joining the Bears in 2004.

Player: He played linebacker at the University of California from 1980 through 1983, then for nine seasons with Chicago, where he was a member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX champions.

RUSS GRIMM

Steelers offensive line coach/assistant head coach

Coach: Grimm, 47, has been an assistant with the Steelers since 2001 and coached for the Redskins for nine seasons before that.

Player: He was an all-NFL-1980s guard for the famous Hogs offensive line in Washington, where he earned three Super Bowl rings. He is a semifinalist for the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Grimm played at Pitt after graduating from Southmoreland High School in Westmoreland County, where the stadium was recently named after him. He is a native of Scottdale, Pa.

KEN WHISENHUNT

Steelers offensive coordinator

Coach: Whisenhunt, 44, has been the Steelers' offensive coordinator the past three seasons and was the tight ends coach three seasons before that. He coached the special teams and tight ends at Vanderbilt for two seasons before he began his NFL coaching career with the Ravens in 1997 and coached one season each with the Browns and Jets before joining the Steelers.

Player: Whisenhunt, who grew up in Augusta, Ga., played at Georgia Tech. He played nine seasons as an tight end with the Falcons, Redskins and Jets.