PITTSBURGH -- For Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt, the road to Super Bowl XLIII began more than two years ago on Jan. 5, 2007.

That was the day Bill Cowher retired as head coach of the Steelers, leaving the franchise searching for a new leader for the first time in 15 seasons.

Whisenhunt, an offensive coordinator and tight ends coach during his six years with the Steelers, was considered as a successor. So was assistant head coach and offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

But Tomlin, then a defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings, was chosen to be the Steelers' third head coach since 1969.

Whisenhunt was hired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, guiding the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history this season.

While Whisenhunt prepares to spoil his former employers' chance to collect a record sixth Lombardi Trophy, he remains thankful for his time with the Steelers.

"The reason that I'm here is because of my time with Pittsburgh and I'm very grateful for that," said Whisenhunt.

Billed as "Pittsburgh West," the Cardinals have a roster composed of players and coaches with ties to the Pittsburgh area -- including wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy at Pitt in 2004.

"Larry Fitzgerald -- he's a guy I've texted a couple of times and he's just a phenomenal wideout, probably one of the best wideouts in the league today," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "And it will be a chance to see him, being that he played at Pitt and he watched me play when he was here at Pitt, so I'm a big fan, so hopefully we can contain him so he don't go crazy on us."

Players

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver

Caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns in 26 games at the University of Pittsburgh

First player in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons

Gerald Hayes, Linebacker

Played linebacker at University of Pittsburgh

Three-time All-Big East Conference selection

Steve Breaston, Wide Receiver

Native of North Braddock, Allegheny County

Woodland Hills High School graduate

Reggie Wells, Offensive Guard

South Park High School graduate

Attended Clarion University

Clark Haggans, Linebacker

Played for Steelers from 2000-07

Member of Super XL team

Jerame Tuman, Tight End

Played for Steelers from 1999-2007

Member of Super Bowl XL team

Sean Morey, Wide Receiver/Special Teams

Played for Steelers from 2004-06

Member of Super Bowl XL team

Brian St. Pierre, Quarterback

Played for Steelers from 2003-04, 06-07

Coaches

Russ Grimm, Assistant Head Coach/Offense Line

Steelers Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line, 2000-06

Native of Scottdale, Westmoreland County

Played football at Southmoreland High School

Mike Miller, Wide Receivers Coach

Native of Plum, Allegheny County

Attended Clarion University

Coached at Robert Morris (1997-98, 2006) and Steelers (1999-2003)

Matt Raich, Defensive Assistant

Native of Monaca, Beaver County

Played middle linebacker at Westminster College

Coached at Westminster (1993-94), Robert Morris (1996-98, 2000-02) and Steelers (2004-06)

Kevin Spencer, Special Teams

Coached special teams with Steelers from 2002-06

Teryl Austin, Defensive Backs

Native of Sharon, Mercer County

Defensive back at University of Pittsburgh from 1984-87