Tom Arth, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

Steelers HC Mike McCarthy Already Ahead of Mike Tomlin in One Area

Brendan Howe  |  Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback coach Tom Arth helps coach during a mini camp practice. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now

UNITY TWP, Pa. — During his tenure as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach, Mike Tomlin had a very sparse coaching tree. His successor, Mike McCarthy, believes he already has an assistant who will lead an NFL team someday.

Tom Arth, entering his third season as the Steelers’ quarterback coach, has tutored Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers during his time in that role.

“I just go back to when I first met Tom, in Green Bay, as a player,” McCarthy said before Friday’s training camp practice at St. Vincent College. “Just very, very detail-minded. You could see. I was not surprised at all that he went into coaching. He has phenomenal work ethic. I see Tom, our offices are right next to each other. He’s in office extremely early each morning, before 5 a.m. I walk in there at 5 a.m., so he’s rocking and rolling.

“He has a great rapport with the players. He’s a good, fundamental coach. But you gotta love his resume. He’s played, he’s been a head coach, he’s been at different levels. He has really good NFL experience, so I think Tom is definitely a future head coach in this league.”

Arth previously served as the passing game specialist for the Los Angeles Chargers (2022-23), as well as the head coach at Akron (2019-21), Chattanooga (2017-18) and John Carroll (2013-16).

https://steelersnow.com/steelers-hc-mike-mccarthy-already-ahead-of-mike-tomlin-in-one-area/

 

From Cleveland to Pittsburgh, new Steelers QB coach Tom Arth has been the glue for the group

Browns game will rustle up memories, though Western Pa. has been good so far to Russell Wilson’s right-hand man

 

Brian Batko

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

bbatko@post-gazette.com

 Nov 20, 2024

He never wanted to admit he was a Browns fan, but if he’s being honest, when John Elway mounted “The Drive” and spoiled a Super Bowl run for the city of Cleveland, 5-year-old Tom Arth ran upstairs to his room and cried.

As an aspiring quarterback himself, Arth was always more of a Joe Montana fan than an Elway guy anyway. But he’s also a proud Cleveland native, a football lifer and now in his first season as an NFL quarterbacks coach for the Steelers.

Pretty run-of-the-mill job this year, right?

Arth has been the man behind and often walking next to Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and even Kyle Allen in a most unusual eight months at quarterback for this new-look Steelers offense. Thursday night, he returns to his hometown with the hated Steelers, but he has an appreciation for what this game and the history between the two teams means — and how fortunate he is to have made his way here.

“There’s still family members who probably won’t be rooting for us, certain family members who refuse to wear Steelers gear and things like that,” Arth said with a smile. “But that’s just part of what makes the AFC North and the rivalries within it so special.”

Make no mistake, Arth is a Cleveland fan through and through when it’s not the Browns. He grew up there, went to college there, met his wife Lauren there and had spent all but four seasons of his 14-year coaching career in Northeast Ohio until now. Back in October, he was trash-talking one of the Steelers equipment staffers — who’s a Yankees fan — when the Guardians staved off elimination in the ALCS.

But since being hired in Pittsburgh to join Arthur Smith’s offensive staff, Arth has settled into a critical role working with a completely remodeled quarterback group. All three in his room praised his attention to detail, preparation and relatability, thanks in large part to having spent three years as an NFL quarterback on the Colts practice squad, where he backed up Peyton Manning, among others.

“Number one, he’s played the game,” Wilson said. “He’s been around guys like Peyton Manning, he’s held the football in his hands in the National Football League, and I think that knowledge, that intel, is really helpful.”

Arth never made it to the active roster, but even having a few cups of coffee in the pros qualifies as exceeding expectations for a quarterback from the Division III ranks. He starred at John Carroll — a hotbed for NFL coaches and executives — 10 miles from his high school, Saint Ignatius.

His coaching odyssey led him from his college alma mater to head jobs at Chattanooga and Akron, then eventually the NFL. Arth held the title of pass game specialist for the Chargers the past two years as an assistant under two different offensive coordinators, Joe Lombardi and Kellen Moore, while helping with Justin Herbert’s development.

“It’s different to see it through a quarterback’s eyes, so he gets it,” Allen said. “Super hard worker, and I just can’t say enough about him.”

That propensity to dive into everything headfirst meant that when Arth was added to Mike Tomlin’s staff back in early February, his initial process was to start studying Kenny Pickett. He reached out to Pickett, began conversations and then things changed a lot in about a month’s time — for Pickett, the Steelers and Arth.

Arth knew Wilson was a potential free agent the Steelers could have interest in, so he had already begun that film work. He wasn’t quite as ready for the next slant pattern thrown his way.

“Had a really good feel for Russell, but Justin, that one kind of popped up out of thin air,” Arth recalled last week. “But it was very exciting to have the opportunity to work with two players of that caliber — both at very different points in their career, but both with so much to prove.”

Has it been a challenge to switch from a 25-year-old fourth-year player who moves like a gazelle to a 35-year-old who operates with all the savvy and confidence of a Super Bowl-winning veteran? Yes, but it’s one Arth, 43, is learning from every day.

And while the ebb and flow of the Steelers’ quarterback situation has kept Arth on his toes, it doesn't hurt that in Pittsburgh he feels right at home. Part of that is the proximity, of course. But with a wife and five kids, relocating across the country isn’t easy, and he’s found that aspect of life here to be particularly rewarding.

“My family’s everything to me,” Arth said. “That's sometimes very difficult in this profession, with the time commitment that we make, particularly during the season. But also the moves, and that's been challenging for my kids, for all of us. Our move here to Pittsburgh, this transition has been as clean and as seamless for us as any, and I think it just has to do with the people here.”

His oldest daughter, Caroline, is a freshman at the University of Tennessee and is getting her feet wet in the family business, working on the nutrition side of the football program in Knoxville. His oldest son, Tommy, was a standout junior starter at North Catholic High School under head coach Chris Rizzo, who played for Arth at John Carroll.

Adding to the tight-knit community feel for the Arths has been the experience for his third and fourth children, Kate and Patrick, both of whom have special needs. Through the Colbert family, they learned of the St. Anthony program, which allows Kate to receive a Catholic education in the same building as her big brother.

“She’s at school every day with Tommy, and that’s just been a really special thing for her — and I think for Tommy, too,” Arth said. “He’s great with both of them.”

That peace of mind is especially nice when Arth is putting in long hours with the quarterbacks, all of whom have completed at least one pass this season. As encouraged as he is by the rapport between Wilson and Fields, not to mention all the winning they’ve done, Arth’s biggest thrill so far might’ve come when Allen had to come in for two snaps against the Cowboys and threw a 19-yard strike to Pat Freiermuth cold off the sideline.

Not only did Allen keep the offense flowing, but it’s always fulfilling for a position coach when the head man in charge or the play-caller trusts one of his reserves enough to perform like a starter — even more so when it’s dialing up a call like that for the third-string quarterback.

“I was just so happy for Kyle,” Arth said. “They just do it the right way, and they do it together, and that’s what makes me proud.”

Wilson echoed that and added that he enjoys all the time he’s spending with Arth, too. They’ve bonded over their faith and talked work-life balance with a lot of kids under one roof.

“I ask him all the time, ‘What’s five like?’ because I’m trying to get to five,” Wilson grinned.

“But he also has a tremendous amount of confidence and grace to him that I believe great coaches have. The ability to be the calm in the storm, ability to communicate in great moments and tough moments — all the above. And I think at the end of the day, to be a tremendous coach, you have to be a tremendous teacher. I think he’s a great teacher.”

Just don’t expect him to be able to teach all the die-hard Browns fans in his life how to wave a Terrible Towel. Those roots run deep.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 5:30 a.m.
Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:03 p.m.

 

Tom Arth is John Carroll’s all-time greatest football player

 

All-America QB headlines list of Blue Streaks’ 25 best

All-time great John Carroll football players Tom Arth (3), Carl Taseff (11), London Fletcher (3) and Scott O'Donnell (91), Don Shula (16), Willie Beers (27) and Dave Rastoka (53). (John Carroll Sports Information, Illustration by Howard Primer)

By Mark Podolski | mpodolski@news-herald.com | The News-Herald

 

PUBLISHED: November 10, 2022 at 11:40 a.m. | UPDATED: November 10, 2022 at 12:25 p.m.

John Carroll completes its 100th season of football Nov. 12 at Don Shula Stadium against Otterbein.

Thousands have played football for the Blue Steaks — more than a hundred are in JCU’s sports hall of fame.

Noah Tylutki of the JCU sports information department, JCU football historian Bryan Fritz and yours truly compiled the 25 all-time best football players in Blue Streaks history, with 25 more honorable mention selections.

Tylutki also recently completed “100 Seasons of John Carroll Football” — a record and fact book that’s available to pre-order.

Here’s the list from 1 to 25 with honorable mention picks:

1. Tom Arth, quarterback (1999-2002) — Arth’s impact on JCU football was immense, first as a player then head coach. The four-year starter threw for 10,345 yards and 89 touchdowns and led the program to its first NCAA Division II final four appearance in 2002. He was named third-team QB on D3football.com’s all-decade team of the 2000s. He was named JCU head coach in 2013 and led the program to a 40-8 mark in four seasons, including the Blue Streaks’ second trip to the final four in 2016.

2. Carl Taseff, halfback (1947-50) — First JCU player to have his jersey number (11) retired. Taseff started four seasons, and rushed for 3,829 yards and 52 touchdowns. His 361 career points is No. 1 all-time at JCU, almost 100 points better than the No. 2 player. As a senior in 1950, he rushed for 1,164 yards, 20 TDs and was AP Little All-America. Averaged 5.9 yards per attempt. Drafted by Browns in 1951 in Round 22 and made the team. Spent 24 seasons as a Miami Dolphins assistant for Don Shula.

3. London Fletcher, linebacker (1995-97) — Fletcher, a VASJ grad, transferred from St. Francis to JCU in 1995 hoping to play basketball for former coach Mike Moran but football was his true calling. Arguably the greatest defensive player in Blue Streaks history. Compiled 341 tackles his final two seasons (386 overall) with 31 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles. Was a two-time All-America pick and named the nation’s top linebacker in D-III in 1997. Played 16 seasons in the NFL and in 256 games, the most ever by a linebacker.

4. Tim Barrett, running back (1971-74) — Became the first and only player in JCU history rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. A 14th round pick by the Browns in 1975, he started as a safety at JCU before moving to running back in 1972. In three seasons toting the ball, rushed for 3,625 yards and 34 TDs. Led the nation in rushing yards per game as a senior (156.6).

5. Willie Beers, running back (1989-92) — The Lake Catholic grad’s No. 27 is retired by JCU and for good reason. He’s the school’s career rushing yards leader with 4,377 yards and scored 41 TDs. When he graduated, he was the Ohio Athletic Conference’s all-time leader rusher. The three-time first-team All-OAC selection once ran 53 times in a 1991 game vs. Capital.

6. Dave Rastoka, linebacker (1986-89) — Another Lake Catholic grad, Rastoka was a three-time All-America selection, and is JCU’s all-time leader in tackles with 536. He’s also the only three-time captain in program history. He was the conference defensive player of the year in 1988 and 1989. His final season (1989), the Blue Streaks made the NCAA playoffs for the first time with Rastoka’s 167 tackles leading the way on defense.

7. Scott O’Donnell, defensive end (1993-96) — Yet another Lake grad by way of Eastlake, no one in JCU history got to the QB better than O’Donnell, the former Cougars’ football coach who currently leads the Brookside football program in Lorain County. In 1996, was named Football Gazette D-III defensive lineman of the year after he posted 102 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. His career numbers of 75.5 TFL and 48.5 sacks are JCU records.

8. Mark Myers, quarterback (2012-14) — A transfer from the University of Pittsburgh, Myers had a big arm and was accurate and the results showed — 9,598 passing yards (second to Arth) and 94 TD passes (No. 1 at JCU). His 2014 season played like a video game with 3,428 yards, 41 TD passes and just four interceptions.

9. Larry Wanke, quarterback (1989-90) — Like Myers, Wanke was a Pitt transfer and only played two seasons for the Blue Steaks but his impact was huge. At the time, Wanke — a Benedictine grad — set 16 JCU passing marks and was 17-4 as a starter. In 1989, he became JCU’s first QB to throw for more than 2,000 yards in leading the program to its first playoff appearance in its first year in the OAC. Wanke is the last JCU player picked in the NFL Draft as the final pick (or “Mr. Irrelevant”) by the Giants in 1991.

10. Don Shula, halfback (1948-50) — Shula’s impact goes way beyond his play on the field as a backfield teammate with Taseff. Eventually became a longtime NFL coach for the Colts and Dolphins and is the all-time leader in NFL coaching wins with 347. Before that, the Harvey graduate played three seasons with the Blue Streaks and had 1,785 yards and 27 TDs. His best game was more than 100 yards in a 21-16 upset of Syracuse in 1950 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Shula and Taseff were drafted by the Browns in 1951, and were the only two rookies to make the team.

11. Chris Anderson, linebacker (1993-96) — University School product by way of Lyndhurst was two-time All-American and is tied with Rastoka with 536 career tackles.

12. Ed Sandrick, defensive back (1966-69) — Only four-time all-conference pick in JCU history, Sandrick is the program’s all-time leader in career interceptions (21) and INTs in a season (10).

13. Nick Caserio, quarterback (1995-98) — Four-year starter at QB and two-time captain, Caserio — a University grad — threw for 8,434 yards and 78 TDs. He is currently the general manager of the Houston Texans.

14. Mason McKenrick, linebacker (2014-17) — Mentor graduate was the 2016 D3football.com national defensive player of the year after making 96 stops. Made 236 career tackles.

15. David Ziegler, kick returner (1996-99) — He was a three-time All-America pick as a return specialist. Ziegler led the nation in kick return average (35.7) in 1999, and became the fourth player in D-III history to amass 1,000 career kick and punt return yards. Hired in early 2022 as GM of the Las Vegas Raiders.

16. Jerry Schweickert, all-purpose (1957-59) — One of the most versatile players in school history. Played QB, halfback, safety and returned kicks. Led JCU to conference championship in 1959 and was named All-America. Later served as football head from 1965 to 1976. Founded JCU’s baseball program in 1973.

17. Eddie Arsenault, halfback (1937-39) — One of JCU’s great all-around athletes in the pre-World War II era. Key contributor to the program’s 7-1 season of 1939, when he was honorable mention Little All-America pick.

18. Sig Holowenko, offensive tackle (1947-50) — Opened holes for Shula and Taseff. Drafted by the Packers in 1951 during the sixth round, the highest a JCU player has ever been selected.

19. Rick Kuczmarski, defensive tackle (1979-81) — Was JCU’s second-ever All-America pick in 1981, when he made 108 tackles.

20. Michael Canganelli, running back (2017-2019) — Played two seasons as the starter — Mayfield grad had to retire before his final season because of a back injury — and ran for 2,286 yards and scored 30 TDs. His 270 yards against Baldwin Wallace in 2018 is No. 2 all-time for a single game.

21. Gene Stringer, fullback, end (1921-24) — Stringer did it all — his 11 TDs in 1922 was most all-time until Taseff broke it — and he even wrote JCU’s alma mater song. Stringer was the first from JCU to play professional football when he signed with the NFL’s Cleveland Bulldogs.

22. Nick D’Angelo, linebacker (1980-83) — Eastlake native and Lake Catholic grad was All-America pick in 1983 after making 128 tackles. That same season, D’Angelo was an NCAA national champion in wrestling at 190 pounds.

23. Marshall Howell, wide receiver (2013-16) — Benedictine grad is JCU all-time leader in receptions (209), receiving yards (2,969) and receiving TDs (36).

24. Dick Bright, kicker, all-purpose (1923-24) — Bright passed, kicked, punted and played halfback on defense. His six field goals made in 1924 stood for nearly 60 years.

25. John Kovach, fullback, defensive end (1961-63) — A three-year, two-way starter at fullback and defensive end, Kovach was a defensive star who led JCU to undefeated seasons in 1962 and 1963 and set numerous defensive records.

Honorable mention

Conner Bogard, DL, Butch Carney, OL, Chris Cubero, LB, Jovon Dawson, DB, Carl Estenik, HB, Brennan Fugh, WR, Ro Golphin, RB, Aramis Greenwood, WR, Ryan Haley, P, Blake Herideen, OL, Joe Indriolo, DE, P.J. Insana, QB, Anthony Latina, OL, Jerome Layton, OL, Jeff Lerner, WR, Tommy Michals, RB, Gus McPhie, QB, Carlo Melaragno, DB, Jim Mitchell, DB, Anthony Moeglin, QB, Fred Rancourt, OL, Tom Rini, S, Burrell Shields, HB, Ron Timpanaro, OL, Dave Vitatoe, K

For information on “100 Seasons of John Carroll Football,” go to: https://advancement.jcu.edu/register/football100book

New Akron football coach comes home

New Akron football coach comes home 

RICHARD WEINER
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 7, 2019

Tomas Edward “Tom” Arth has the strongest possible northeast Ohio athletic roots.

He was born in Westlake, played quarterback for the legendary Chuck Kyle at St. Ignatius, attended quarterback camp with Bernie Kosar, played and coached at John Carroll University and was the head coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He also played in NFL Europe and for the Canadian Football League and Arena League and was one of Peyton Manning’s backup quarterbacks with the Indianapolis Colts.

After all of that, he is now the head football coach for the University of Akron, and he, his family and the school could not be happier.

Arth, 47, and his wife Lauren have five children. Lauren and the children and a good 20 members of Arth’s family attended the press conference held recently at the university. Also in attendance were Kyle and Kosar, a testament to the respect Arth has in the community.

“Northeast Ohio is a special place,” Arth said in his introductory press conference. “I grew up 30 minutes from here. This is a rare opportunity, to be a Division I coach so close to where I grew up and my family is from.” Family, he said, is the most important thing in his life.

Arth’s former athletic director at John Carroll, Christopher Wenzler, echoed Arth’s dedication to his family.

“I know his family, and I am sure they are thrilled to be back in northeast Ohio, maybe almost as much as we are thrilled to have him back,” he said.

At the same time, though, Arth would not have gotten the job unless he was the superior candidate, said athletic director Lawrence Richard “Larry” Williams II.

Williams is a former lineman for the Cleveland Browns and a former intellectual property attorney.

“We wanted to find a leader who had certain qualifications,” said Williams. Among those he said are high energy, a commitment to integrity, a desire to personally recruit, and a commitment to the community. Also on the list was a preference from a coach with local ties.

“We vetted a large candidate field. We traveled around the country talking with candidates. (A trip that included attendance at the soccer team’s appearance in the NCAA final game). “Tom stood out in every respect,” Williams said. “He checked every box.”

Interim university president John C. Green was also enthusiastic Arth.

“We are very excited about the selection,” said Green.

The critical factors in choosing Arth, said Green, were a commitment to excellence on the field and success in the classroom.

But also of importance were his local ties. “Northeast Ohio has a fantastic talent pool,” in athletics and beyond, said Green. “Akron graduates can compete against anyone,” in any field. The signing of Arth, he said, is “another example of success in the region.”

Arth, Williams and Green all talked about the importance of academics to the football program going forward.

When asked later to expand his views on this topic, Arth said that there should not be anything more important to the football players than their academic success.

“These guys are getting a free college education,” he said. He also said that he had specific ways of responding to athletes who get into academic trouble, but that he would also have to review and work with the university’s procedures.

In terms of the game itself, Arth displayed his trust in his background and training as a quarterback by saying that his offense would be quarterback-centric—similar to the Colts under Manning, with emphasis on reading defenses and making play calls at the line of scrimmage.

He said he expects to take command of the team on the field in the same way that he did as a quarterback.

Williams more than once complimented him on his “high football IQ.”

And even after all these years, when asked who he wanted to emulate as a coach, Arth said “Chuck Kyle.”

Wenzler had a little take on the football side as well.

“With John Carroll graduates on the Kent State staff, I think that the rivalry between the two schools just became that much more interesting. I would love to catch that game!”

All in all, the press conference was summed up best by the university president, who said, simply: “Welcome home, Tom.”