In a much anticipated move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that head coach Mike Tomlin’s contract has been extended through the 2016 season on the eve of the team reporting to training camp, according to Ed Bouchette on Twitter.
“We are pleased to announce that Mike Tomlin will remain with the Steelers for at least five more years,” said Steelers’ President Art Rooney II. “Mike is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League and we are thrilled he will continue to lead our team as we pursue another Super Bowl title.”
Tomlin started the day signed through this season with a club option for 2013 and traditionally, this is the time when the team does a new deal with the coach. While no specific amounts have been revealed regarding the extension, Forbes Magazine earlier this offseason listed Tomlin as making $5.75 million a year.
Tomlin started his NFL coaching career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a defensive backs coach back in 2001 after spending several years in the college ranks. After five season in Tampa he was hired by the Minnesota Vikings to be their defensive coordinator in 2006.
In January of 2007 Tomlin was hired by the Steelers to replace head coach Bill Cowher, who resigned after spending 15 years with the team. He has compiled a 55-25 regular season record in his first 5 seasons with the Steelers and that includes three AFC North titles, two AFC Championships and one Super Bowl Championship, which came in the 2008 season. Tomlin currently owns a 5-3 record in the playoffs entering this season.
The move now locks up Tomlin through the 2016 and there is no word yet if another club option is attached to that.
“I am excited that I will continue to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for years to come,” said Tomlin. “I am grateful to the Steelers organization for the opportunity I have been given over the past five years to work and live in this great city, and I am excited to continue to work to bring another championship to the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.”
