Much like Harbaugh’s time in Baltimore ending, Mike Tomlin’s stepping down marks the end of an era for the Steelers. With this happening not even 24 hours after a 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans, there are so many moving variables. What’s next for coach Tomlin? What’s going to happen in Pittsburgh? Let’s dive into everything!
Mike Tomlin’s History With the Steel City
Tomlin’s 19-year history with Pittsburgh came to an end this afternoon. Tomlin was hired in 2007 as the 3rd head coach in Steelers history. Within two years, he was a Super Bowl Champion. Two years later, they returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the Green Bay Packers. Since then, there have been many really good seasons, but they have never achieved that same level of success again.
In his tenure with the team, Tomlin put together one of the best resumes in NFL History. In the 309 regular-season games he coached, Coach T had a 193-114-2 record. That’s a 62.8 winning percentage. He’s 28th in winning percentage all-time and 9th in wins all-time. Without question, he’s a great coach. He made the playoffs in 13 of his 19 seasons, including winning the AFC North eight times.
His early playoff success made everyone excited about his future, and his playoff failures made everyone, including Steelers fans, ready for a change. There’s the stat that’s followed Tomlin and the organization for the past four seasons: he’s never had a losing season. When you look at the quarterbacks he has had continued success with, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Mason Rudolph, and Devlin Hodges, it’s one of the more impressive things we’ve seen a coach achieve.
What’s Next For Coach T?
He is, or was, under contract for the next two seasons that would have paid him $50 million over that span. With him stepping away and not being fired, the Steelers still have his coaching rights for the next two years. The feel in the air is that he will take a year off from coaching and go to TV, then reassess the coaching landscape in a year. However, in 2028, a franchise would have to trade for him. The New Orleans Saints received a first and second-round pick for Sean Payton’s services. What could Tomlin fetch in terms of a trade?
What’s Next For the Steelers?
This is an interesting time for the Steelers. They are looking for their fourth head coach in the franchise’s existence. Given their history as a defensive-minded culture and team, their next hire could follow suit. Brian Flores, Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, or Robert Salah are current NFL coaches, and I see Pittsburgh targeting one of them. This is one of the best jobs in the NFL in terms of stability. Whomever they hire wouldn’t have to fear two bad seasons or be on the hot seat.
The Rooneys appear to be the class of the league in terms of being patient with coaches. In this microwave society, they are an old-fashioned crockpot. Get your ingredients, throw them in the pot, and slow-cook them for 8-12 hours. Hire someone who will build this puppy from the ground up and see what you can get for some of your aging superstars.
My Perfect Hire
I would roll the dice with a first-time head coach and hire Klint Kubiak. This is an opportunity that probably won’t open up for another 20 years, depending on the hire. We know the names of NFL players who could be in the running for the job. In terms of college coaches, consider Curt Cignetti at Indiana or Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame.
If we hire someone with head coaching experience, I would want Flores. Flores as my head coach, Mike McDaniel or Brian Daboll as my offensive coordinator, then Raheem Morris as my defensive coordinator. That would be a dream scenario for me if we stay with a defensive-minded head coach.
Final Thoughts
As a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the head coaching job only needed to be filled once. I was six years old when they hired Mike Tomlin, and from that moment on, he gave me some of the best football memories you could ask for. I sit here now, 25, and we need another head coach. Steelers fans, you got what you wished for. I will warn SteelerNation, grass isn’t always greener.
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts and reaction to Mike Tomlin stepping down as the Steelers’ Head Coach! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day and look forward to seeing you again soon.
