Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the NFL. Tomlin is a terrific leader who has the respect of his peers, and his track record speaks for itself.
In addition to boasting a pair of Super Bowl rings (one as a head coach and one as an assistant), he’s never posted a losing record as an NFL head coach. Let’s examine Tomlin’s playing days, impressive coaching career, postseason results, Super Bowl victories, contract, and more.
Did Mike Tomlin Play in the NFL?
Prior to his coaching career, Tomlin was a wide receiver who played college football at William & Mary.
Tomlin was a three-year starter and an All-Yankee Conference Second-Team selection in 1994. He finished his collegiate career with 101 receptions for 2,054 yards and 20 touchdown receptions.
Tomlin’s playing career did not continue after college, as he never played in the NFL or any professional leagues. However, once he transitioned to coaching, he quickly rose the ranks.
Tomlin’s Coaching Career
Tomlin’s first coaching stint was with the Virginia Military Institute, where he coached wide receivers during the 1995 season. Then, in 1996, Tomlin served as a graduate assistant for the Memphis Tigers before becoming a defensive backs coach for the Arkansas State Red Wolves in 1997.
Tomlin coached at Arkansas State for two seasons before accepting a job as the defensive backs coach for the University of Cincinnati. In 2000, Tomlin helped Cincinnati’s defense record the eighth-most interceptions in the country.
After five seasons coaching at the collegiate level, Tomlin got his start in the NFL when he was hired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach.
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Tomlin was part of the coaching staff that helped the 2002 Buccaneers become one of the best defenses in NFL history. Tampa Bay went on to win Super Bowl 37 (thanks in large part to a terrific showing by Tomlin’s secondary, including Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson).
Tomlin remained with the Bucs until 2006, when he was hired as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Tomlin was younger than two players on the Vikings’ roster, yet Minnesota did not allow a single 100-yard rusher throughout that season.
Tomlin’s success with the Vikings led to head-coaching buzz. Shortly after, the Steelers hired Tomlin as their head coach. He became just their third head coach since 1969.
How Long Has Tomlin Been the Steelers’ Head Coach?
Tomlin was hired as the Steelers’ head coach on Jan. 27, 2007. He’s now in his 18th season at the helm in Pittsburgh, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.
Tomlin was just 34 years old when the Steelers hired him, meaning he wasn’t even old enough to run for president of the United States.
Now, he’s still there nearly two decades later.
Bill Belichick was previously the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach until he and the New England Patriots parted ways on Jan. 11, 2024, ending his 24-season tenure.
Tomlin’s Record Streak of Non-Losing Seasons
Since becoming an NFL head coach, Tomlin has never had a losing season. He holds the NFL record for most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin an NFL coaching career.
Tomlin’s worst seasons were in 2012, 2013, and 2019, when his teams finished 8-8.
For comparison, fellow legendary Steelers head coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher both posted losing seasons. Noll had five sub-.500 seasons, including his disappointing 1-13 debut in 1969 and a 7-9 final season in 1991. Cowher had three losing campaigns, including a pair of 6-10 marks in 1999 and 2003.
Tomlin’s Playoff Record
Under Tomlin, the Steelers are 8-10 in the postseason, giving him a .444 winning percentage in the NFL playoffs.
Tomlin has led the Steelers to 11 playoff appearances, seven division titles, five Divisional Rounds, three AFC Championship Games, and two Super Bowls.
However, since 2018, the Steelers have made the playoffs just three times and have yet to advance past the Wild Card round, losing in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Their most recent playoff appearance was a 31-17 Wild Card loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
How Many Super Bowls Has Tomlin Won?
Tomlin has two Super Bowl championships under his belt: one as an assistant coach and one as a head coach. His title as an assistant came in Super Bowl 37 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach, while his ring as the Steelers’ head coach came in Super Bowl 43.
Tomlin hoisted the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 2002 when the Buccaneers faced the then-Oakland Raiders. Tampa Bay dominated the game, 48-21, and it was even more lopsided than the score indicates, as the Bucs led 34-9 entering the fourth quarter.
Tomlin’s secondary shined, as the Bucs intercepted Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon five times and returned three of the picks for touchdowns. Bucs safety Jackson won Super Bowl MVP, becoming just the third defensive back to earn this honor.
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Tomlin’s second Super Bowl victory came as the Steelers head coach in 2009. Pittsburgh faced off against the Arizona Cardinals and ultimately defeated them, 27-23. Unlike his first Super Bowl experience, this game was close throughout.
No. 6: Santonio Holmes’ game-winning catch in @SuperBowl XLIII (Feb. 1, 2009) @Steelers #NFL100
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The Steelers regained the lead for good with less than a minute remaining following a Santonio Holmes touchdown reception. Holmes took home the Super Bowl MVP trophy after catching nine passes for 131 yards and the game-winning score. The win gave Pittsburgh the most Super Bowls of any NFL franchise at that time. For the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald had a monster 127-yard, two-touchdown performance in a losing effort.
Tomlin also led the Steelers to Super Bowl 45 on Feb. 6, 2011, but they came up short against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, 31-25.
Tomlin’s Contract
On June 10, 2024, the Steelers and Tomlin agreed to terms on a three-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season.
Tomlin earns $12.5 million a year, which makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches.
“I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for [Steelers owner] Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin said. “We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong — sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s seventh Lombardi Trophy.”
Before this extension, there were some rumblings that Tomlin might take a year off from coaching. Instead, Tomlin will stick around as Pittsburgh’s head coach into his 60s.
Who Was the Steelers’ Head Coach Before Tomlin?
The man who set up Tomlin for success in Pittsburgh was Cowher.
Cowher was just the Steelers’ second head coach since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970, and he held this position from 1992 through 2006.
In 15 seasons under Cowher’s leadership, the Steelers won eight division titles, made 10 playoff appearances, played in six AFC Championship games, and advanced to two Super Bowls.
After winning his first Super Bowl ring in 2006 by defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 40, Cowher resigned and was replaced by Tomlin. In 2020, Cowher was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
