Forbes Magazine has released its top 10 list of highest-paid coaches in sports and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin makes the list at 9th overall with an annual salary of $5.75 million. Tomlin is the 7th highest paid NFL coach on the list behind Bill Belichick, Mike Shanahan, Jeff Fisher, Pete Carroll, Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt.
Tomlin was originally hired to replace the retired Bill Cowher in 2007 and was given a four year contract with a fifth year option at that time. That deal was reportedly worth an average of $2.5 million annually. Tomlin signed an extension in July of 2010 and that current deal is guaranteed through 2012 with an option for 2013 according to reports at that time. At the time the extension was given, Art Rooney II said in a statement, “Mike Tomlin has proven to be one of the top head coaches in the National Football League in a relatively short time. His unique ability to lead the team and motivate individuals have been key factors in our success.”
In late March of this year Scott Brown from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote that the Steelers could approach Tomlin about a new deal before the start of the 2012 season. Rooney II told the paper at that time, “We\’re obviously very happy with Mike and the job he\’s doing and we hope he\’s going to be here for the long term and I think I\’m comfortable in saying that will be the case.”
Tomlin currently has .688 winning percentage (55-25) through his first five seasons as head coach and that is the best in franchise history. He has guided the Steelers to one Super Bowl championship, three AFC North titles and four playoff appearances since taking over.
Of the NFL coaches above him on the Forbes list, only two have won championships and those two are of course Belichick and Shanahan. You can expect that a new extension will likely be on its way soon for Tomlin and likely will be in place by the time training camp rolls around.
