Tomlin steps down as head coach after 19 NFL seasons
After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin is stepping down as head coach of the Steelers.
It'll be a new era in Pittsburgh.
"After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Tomlin said in a statement. "This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team. I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support. I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful. I want to also thank Steelers Nation. Your passion, loyalty, and high expectations represent what makes this franchise truly special. Coaching in Pittsburgh is unlike anywhere else, and I will always take great pride in having been a steward of this team. While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh."
Tomlin, 53, is expected to take a year off, and is reportedly entertaining the idea of doing TV during that time. He is under contract through 2027, so the Steelers retain his rights for another two seasons. That could factor into the Steelers' future plans, potentially manifesting into a trade.
For now, the Steelers are just dealing with the fallout of their head coach of 19 seasons stepping down.
"During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our head coach," Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin. He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career. His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated. My family and I, and everyone connected to Steelers management, are forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football."
Over his 19 seasons as head coach of the Steelers, Tomlin won eight AFC North championships, two AFC Championship games and brought the franchise its sixth Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLIII. In his final regular season game as head coach, his Steelers defeated the Ravens, 26-24, tying him with Chuck Noll with 193 wins, the most in franchise history. As it's been noted a multitude of times throughout the football world, Tomlin never finished a season with a losing record, though that was more of a topic for media and fans and not one he or the team focused on.
However, Tomlin's tenure wasn't completely successful. With the Steelers' 30-6 blowout loss to the Texans in Monday night's wild-card playoff, Tomlin lost his seventh straight playoff game spanning nine straight seasons, tying Marvin Lewis for the longest streak for a coach in NFL history. In that losing streak ...
• The Steelers trailed by at least 21 points. The only game in which they didn't lose by double-digits was their 45-42 loss to the Jaguars in the 2017 season.
• The Steelers were outscored, 260-154.
• The Steelers' last five playoff losses all came by double-digits, becoming the first franchise in NFL history to do so.
• The Steelers trailed on every single snap in the second half.
• The Steelers had been outscored in the first quarter, 63-3. Ironically, they were up, 3-0, at the end of the first quarter on Monday night.
The Steelers have been famous for not firing head coaches, as they've only had three since 1969 (Noll, Bill Cowher, Tomlin). Now, the search will begin for the next. It's an opportunity to rebuild the culture from its most stale years of the Super Bowl era.
THE ASYLUM
Tomlin steps down as head coach after 19 NFL seasons
After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin is stepping down as head coach of the Steelers.
It'll be a new era in Pittsburgh.
"After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Tomlin said in a statement. "This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team. I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support. I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful. I want to also thank Steelers Nation. Your passion, loyalty, and high expectations represent what makes this franchise truly special. Coaching in Pittsburgh is unlike anywhere else, and I will always take great pride in having been a steward of this team. While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh."
Tomlin, 53, is expected to take a year off, and is reportedly entertaining the idea of doing TV during that time. He is under contract through 2027, so the Steelers retain his rights for another two seasons. That could factor into the Steelers' future plans, potentially manifesting into a trade.
For now, the Steelers are just dealing with the fallout of their head coach of 19 seasons stepping down.
"During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our head coach," Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin. He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career. His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated. My family and I, and everyone connected to Steelers management, are forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football."
Over his 19 seasons as head coach of the Steelers, Tomlin won eight AFC North championships, two AFC Championship games and brought the franchise its sixth Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLIII. In his final regular season game as head coach, his Steelers defeated the Ravens, 26-24, tying him with Chuck Noll with 193 wins, the most in franchise history. As it's been noted a multitude of times throughout the football world, Tomlin never finished a season with a losing record, though that was more of a topic for media and fans and not one he or the team focused on.
However, Tomlin's tenure wasn't completely successful. With the Steelers' 30-6 blowout loss to the Texans in Monday night's wild-card playoff, Tomlin lost his seventh straight playoff game spanning nine straight seasons, tying Marvin Lewis for the longest streak for a coach in NFL history. In that losing streak ...
• The Steelers trailed by at least 21 points. The only game in which they didn't lose by double-digits was their 45-42 loss to the Jaguars in the 2017 season.
• The Steelers were outscored, 260-154.
• The Steelers' last five playoff losses all came by double-digits, becoming the first franchise in NFL history to do so.
• The Steelers trailed on every single snap in the second half.
• The Steelers had been outscored in the first quarter, 63-3. Ironically, they were up, 3-0, at the end of the first quarter on Monday night.
The Steelers have been famous for not firing head coaches, as they've only had three since 1969 (Noll, Bill Cowher, Tomlin). Now, the search will begin for the next. It's an opportunity to rebuild the culture from its most stale years of the Super Bowl era.
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