Kimo von Oelhoffen played six season on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line from 2000-2005 and now he is passing on his knowledge to college athletes as a coach.
On Tuesday, Western Oregon University announced the hiring of von Oelhoffen as their new defensive line coach.
“I was fortunate to have some great mentors,” von Oelhoffen said via the school’s website. “They taught me so many things. I think things that I learned help make young men great students and great citizens. Along with that came some great technique and skill development.”
While von Oelhoffen managed to play 14 seasons in the NFL with four different teams, he is probably most recognized for one play.
During the 2005 AFC Wildcard game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Von Oelhoffen’s attempted low tackle on Carson Palmer resulted in the quarterback needing to be carted off the field with several torn ligaments in his left knee. The injury forced Bengals backup quarterback Jon Kitna into the game and the Steelers went on to win 31-17.
Von Oelhoffen later apologized publicly for the hit on Palmer that many at the time deemed as being dirty with the intent to injury.
“Yeah, I hate to see that happen to any player,” von Oelhoffen said. “I don’t think anybody on this team would intentionally do something like that.”
Strangely enough, von Oelhoffen was originally drafted by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Boise State. During his time in Pittsburgh he started 94 games and recorded 20.5 sacks. He initially played a lot of nose tackle with the Steelers until Casey Hampton took over the spot during his 2001 rookie season.
