Miami football alum Anthony Chickillo highly critical how he was coached by Al Golden

Golden and D’Onofrio moved Chickillo to defensive tackle from his more natural position as an end and edge rusher. Chickillo was very strong in his criticism about being played out of position in college and it nearly halting any chance he had for an NFL Career.

"“It wasn’t my choice to get turned into a 285-pound defensive tackle. That was what the coaches asked me to do and I did it. And looking back on it, I’ll never forgive Coach Golden and D’Onofrio fully because they turned my dream into a nightmare. I’ve used that to drive me up to this point. That’s been my motivation to prove everybody wrong. Because they told me my freshman year that I wasn’t athletic enough to play what I’m playing now. I always knew I was playing out of position when I was doing it. But I didn’t have a choice.”"

Chickillo elaborated to Miller Degnan about cutting off communication with Golden and D’Onofrio at the end of his Miami football career and what the position change almost did to his NFL prospects.

"“I stopped talking to [former head coach] Al Golden and [former defensive coordinator] Mark D’Onofrio week 8 or 9 of my senior season…I was in the process of losing weight because I knew I was playing out of position…I’ll never forget as long as I live. Steelers coach [Mike] Tomlin telling me after my pro day, “Chick, I’m going to draft you as an outside linebacker.’ But that draft day was horrible until I got picked. My grandfather was picked 181st overall by the Chicago Cardinals, my dad went 131st to the Bucs — and I thought I wasn’t going to be drafted by the end. “I was crushed, until the Steelers picked me. Every day I come to work I love it here.’’"

Chickillo remains bitter towards Golden and D’Onofrio about his Miami football experience. In spite of the Steelers and Lions matching up a couple of times he still didn’t speak with Golden. Chickillo elaborated with Navarro.

"“We had a joint practice with the Lions my second season…Then we played them in the preseason. (Golden) was there. We didn’t have a conversation. Then we played the Lions in the regular season and we didn’t have a conversation then either. “I mean, I don’t know what their feelings are on it. To be honest with you, I really don’t care. I’m on my second contract in the NFL. I beat the odds. I want to win a Super Bowl. That’s what I care about.”"

Chickillo has adjusted from his past and learned from it. He has moved on and created a good NFL career for himself. Chickillo has started nine out of the 54 games he has played in during his four year NFL Career. In four seasons Chickillo has 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss 14 QB hits and seven sacks.

The Steelers are always a contender. They are rebuilding somewhat after trading wide receiver Antonio Brown and letting running back LeVeon Bell go via free agency. Chickillo will face a challenge from Pittsburgh’s fifth-round pick defensive end Sutton Smith from Northern Illinois. Smith led FBS in TFLs in 2018 and finished third in sacks.