Hired in 2007 and the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, Mike Tomlin seems destined to join Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher as Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaches who went out on their own terms. Noll and Cowher retired and left when they wanted to as opposed to 99 percent of coaches who get shown the door. But does Tomlin deserve the same standing?
Friday, analysts Maggie Gray and Andrew Perloff debated the notion.
“He’s had double-digit wins in seven out of the last 10 seasons,” Perloff said. “And he’s not been good at offense since Ben retired.”
The Steelers have consistently beat national expectations and oddsmakers who consistently place Pittsburgh’s win total at or below eight. Well-versed by pundits everywhere, Tomlin has never had a losing season as the Steelers’ head coach.
Less discussed but as impressive, Pittsburgh has only ever played one “meaningless” game in Tomlin’s era, a contest in which the Steelers entered eliminated from postseason contention. That occurred in the 2012 regular season finale, entering 7-8 against the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh won to preserve Tomlin’s non-losing streak.
But regular season wins don’t cut it in Pittsburgh. Tomlin and the Steelers have gone eight-straight seasons without a postseason win, their longest drought since the merger, and pressure is mounting.
“I’m asking, has he done enough where he gets to call his shot of when he leaves the Steelers? I don’t think so,” Gray said.
Even as the national media examines Tomlin’s credibility for the first time in his coaching career, Perloff believes Pittsburgh is the right place for Tomlin to end his career in.
“In this city yes, I do think so. Pittsburgh does not fire coaches famously. Why do you think Aaron Rodgers is even in play. Because he loves Mike Tomlin. Mike Tomlin is the man.”
Though half the fanbase wants Tomlin fired, the only opinion who matters doesn’t. Owner Art Rooney II has stood by Tomlin, citing the player’s continued faith in him. Tomlin remains the highest graded section of Pittsburgh’s otherwise lowly report card, and until he loses the locker room, he’ll remain the Steelers’ head coach. The $50 million extension he signed last summer also provides incentive for him to stay.
