New Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan says new job is 'a dream come true'

PITTSBURGH — Omar Khan tried to keep the smile from overtaking his face when Art Rooney II told him the news.

But minutes after accepting the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager position, Khan couldn't contain his emotions.

«When I was sitting down with Art and he told me, and I tried controlling myself from smiling too much,» Khan said Friday. «I was very, very — I was thrilled. It was a dream come true. I actually gave him a hug on the way out. It's awesome.»

Khan, 45, was announced as the next general manager earlier this week, succeeding longtime GM Kevin Colbert after Khan spent more than two decades with the organization, primarily in football and business administration roles.

«Obviously, we picked the guy we know very well,» Rooney said. «Excited that we know Omar, Omar knows us, and I think it'll be a pretty smooth transition.»

Though Khan is the Steelers' first general manager without a background rooted in talent evaluation since the 1970s, he doesn't anticipate much changing in the way he or the organization operates.

«I think it's going to be an easy transition,» Khan said. «Coach T (Mike Tomlin) and I have had a great relationship over the last 16 years. We've confided in each other on a lot of things. We've spent a lot of time together. It's going to be a smooth transition.»

In hiring Khan, the Steelers went with both a familiar face and a new approach, marrying the past with the future.

«I'm confident time will show this was the right decision for this franchise,» Khan said. «I'm excited. I can tell you that I don't take anything for granted. I understand the expectations that come with this job. I can assure everyone that the expectations that I set for myself are even greater.»

Khan, who was born in New