Mike Tomlin is the longest-serving contemporary head coach in the league. He has held the top job at the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from occasionally calling for change.
In steps his former pupil Ryan Clark to bat for Tomlin. Clark highlighted a sequence from Hard Knocks’ first episode on the Steelers as a testament to Tomlin’s brilliance.
Ryan Clark Wants Steelers Fans To Be Appreciative of Mike Tomlin
HBO’s “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” dropped its first episode on Tuesday (Dec. 3) that revealed a brilliant side of the 52-year-old head coach. After a missed call from the referee that led to Russell Wilson being picked, the head honcho calmed his wide receiver George Pickens down.
Clark admired Tomlin’s brand of coaching and leadership. He took to his X page (formerly Twitter) to send a message to the Steelers fans.
“Pittsburgh Steelers fans that want Mike Tomlin fired should watch ‘Hard Knocks,’ & tell me who you want to play for in the AFC North. The man was prophetic speaking life into his team for the Bengals’ win. The clarity in which he delivers a message is far beyond his contemporaries,” he tweeted.
Pittsburgh @steelers fans that want Mike Tomlin fired should watch “Hard Knocks”, & tell me who you want to play for in the AFC North.
The man was prophetic speaking life into his team for the Bengals’ win. The clarity in which he delivers a message is far beyond his…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) December 4, 2024
Clark played eight seasons with the Steelers, seven of those under Tomlin. The pair won the Super Bowl in 2009 together, and Clark also claimed Pro Bowl honors in 2011 under Tomlin.
What Did Tomlin Say on the Hard Knocks to Pickens?
In the first quarter, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt brought down Pickens in a play that should have been called but wasn’t. This led to Wilson being picked, and Taylor-Britt scored a TD as well.
During the Hard Knocks episode, the sideline conversation between Tomlin and Pickens revealed how the head coach managed to calm down his WR, which led to the Steelers winning the game 44-38.
“Hey bro, it can’t define us today,” Tomlin said to Pickens. “I need you to stay with me. Hey, this sh– ain’t gonna decide the outcome of the game. It ain’t gonna decide the outcome of the game. Look at me, you aight? Alright, let’s go.”