Lately, a lot of ridiculous hate has circulated for long-time Steelers’ head coach, Mike Tomlin.
Many, particularly misguided Steelers fans, are suggesting that it’s time for the Steelers to part ways with only the third head coach in its history. Some are even saying that the team should trade him for draft compensation.
This dissent is absolutely ridiculous.
For critics to think that the team, which is in a state of transition for the first time in sixteen years, would suddenly find a more talented and qualified coach who could instantly transform the team into a Super Bowl contender is utter science fiction.
In an era where “certain types” of coaches are more desirable than others, Mike Tomlin remains the epitome of consistency and success.
His coaching performance in 2019 should have convinced his detractors of his greatness. Despite suffering numerous injuries to key offensive players, the Steelers still finished 8-8. That year marked the first time in Tomlin’s career that the team had been outscored in a season (289-303).
And when he guided an overachieving Steelers team to 12-4 and an AFC North title in 2020, some still refused to call him elite.
Tomlin is overlooked far too often in favor of other veteran coaches like Andy Reid, Pete Carroll and Sean Payton.
Over 24 years, Andy Reid has amassed a record of 246-138-1. That consists of 14 years with the Eagles (130-93-1) and 10 with the Chiefs (116-45). During that time, he’s had Donovan McNabb, Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes under center. Reid also has three Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory.
Pete Carroll has an overall record of 160-112-1 in his 17 years as a head coach. That includes one season with the Jets (6-10), three with New England (27-21) and thirteen with Seattle (127-8-1). Carroll, with future Hall of Fame QB in Russell Wilson, made two Super Bowls with Seattle, winning one. He would have two Lombardi Trophies if not for the worst call in professional sports history.
Sean Payton led the Saints to a 152-89 record during his 15-year tenure with the team. During that time, Drew Brees was his quarterback and they won New Orleans’ lone Super Bowl title in 2009.
In his sixteen seasons with Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin is 163-92-2. He’s led the Steelers to two Super Bowls appearances, and one Super Bowl victory. In the first fifteen years of his tenure, Tomlin had Ben Roethlisberger under center.
Taking Bill Belichick out of the equation, these four men are the elite coaches in the league.
They all have winning records, a Super Bowl victory and Hall of Fame-worthy quarterbacks.
So why is Tomlin consistently regarded behind his fellow coaches despite having similar qualifications and proven records of success?
Is it because he inherited a talented team and future Hall of Fame QB from his predecessor?
Is it because he hasn’t won multiple Super Bowls?
Or is it because he’s Black?
All three have degrees of merit. But they still don’t, and should not, detract from Tomlin’s greatness, especially as his resume includes one item that no other coach in NFL history has.
He has never had a losing season.
The Tomlin Way
Some ridicule and downplay that fact, which is both wrong and disrespectful.
For some reason, consistency is not as regarded as it once was. Sports fans are more demanding than most, so it’s always Super Bowl or bust.
Fans want the fancy hire with an offensive mindset and game to match. That’s why Sean McVay and Kliff Kingsbury are so popular. They bring an energy and aspirational image that attract impatient fans.
McVay has been to two Super Bowls and won his first last season. Yet after going all in for the 2021 season, the Rams are now the NFC’s third-worst team at 5-11. Their future is dim due to a lack of draft capital and aging key players like Aaron Donald and Matt Stafford. And now rumors are surfacing that McVay might retire and head to the broadcast booth.
Kingsbury has yet to achieve that type of success. Since taking over for a wrongly fired Steve Wilks in 2019, Arizona’s head coach has only had one winning season and one playoff appearance in four seasons. This year he has his second losing season and there’s chatter that he’ll be fired this month.
They’ve both had devastating injuries, but good coaches find a way to overcome that. They have not.
Meanwhile, after starting the season 2-6, Tomlin has guided the young Steelers to an 8-8 record after their thrilling victory in Baltimore Sunday night. If they beat the Browns next weekend, he will maintain his streak of never having a losing season.
Despite the doubters, turnovers, late-game losses, injuries and poor offensive playcalling, Tomlin kept the team together. Now Pittsburgh is poised to not only finish 9-8, but with some help, they could make the playoffs for the third year in a row.
That type of consistency deserved to be regarded as excellence.
Despite having a rookie quarterback, a highly criticized offensive line and the multi-game injury absence of All-Pro TJ Watt, Tomlin never wavered and the team never quit. Neither is built like that.
He expected others to pick up the slack and do their jobs. That “next man up” mantra is a Tomlin mainstay, and it works. If it didn’t, he wouldn’t own a record no other coach holds.
Fans can point to disappointing ends in previous seasons, and that’s understandable. Every coach has had them, including his Hall of Fame predecessor, Bill Cowher.
Last year I wrote that the Steelers were poised for a rebuild but that it would be ok.
Yet Tomlin might achieve the rare feat of winning while rebuilding. And with Pittsburgh’s nucleus of veterans and young talent featuring TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Kenny Pickett and George Pickens, next season looks bright.
So keep hating on Mike Tomlin. Next season he’ll simply make you look foolish again.
