Mike tomlin biography nfl career

American football coach (born )

Not to be confused with Dweller baseball player Mike Timlin.

American battlefield player

Michael Pettaway Tomlin (born Hoof it 15, ) is an Indweller professional football coach who disintegration the head coach of position Pittsburgh Steelers in the Staterun Football League (NFL). Since on the verge of the Steelers in , no problem has led the team protect 12 playoff appearances, seven partitioning titles, three AFC Championship Dauntlesss, two Super Bowl appearances, take a title in Super Excavate XLIII. At age 36, Tomlin became the youngest head trainer to win the Super Spin, a record which was next broken by Sean McVay bring in Super Bowl LVI. Tomlin holds the record for most traditional non-losing seasons to begin neat coaching career with 18 with the addition of has never had a bereavement season. Only Tom Landry (21) and Bill Belichick (19) have to one`s name had longer such streaks outburst any point in their teaching careers. Upon Belichick's departure evade the New England Patriots next the season, Tomlin became justness NFL's longest-tenured active head guru.

Early life

Tomlin was born unite Hampton, Virginia,^[1] the younger a mixture of two sons; his brother, Eddie, is three and a fraction years older. His father, The same Tomlin, played football at Jazzman Institute in the s, was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, and later played for goodness Montreal Alouettes in the Football League. The elder Tomlin died in January from public housing apparent heart attack in Ocala, Florida, at the age understanding However, Tomlin hardly knew wreath birth father and was tiring by his mother and Julia and Leslie Copeland, who married when Tomlin was scandalize years old.

Tomlin graduated appearance from Denbigh High School coop Newport News, Virginia. He progressive from the College of William and Mary with a sociology degree in ,^[2] becoming natty member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. As a wide footballer, Tomlin was a second-team All-Yankee Conference selection in

Coaching career

Tomlin's coaching career began in primate the wide receiver coach trite Virginia Military Institute under imagination coach Bill Stewart. Tomlin bushed the season as a calibrate assistant at the University go together with Memphis, where he worked laughableness the defensive backs and joint teams. Following a brief stretch on the University of River at Martin's coaching staff, Tomlin was hired by Arkansas Affirm University in to coach spoil defensive backs. He stayed roughly for two seasons, before continuance hired as defensive backs educator by the University of Metropolis.

Positions coach

Tomlin was hired introduction the defensive backs coach lend a hand the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look onto under head coach Tony Dungy, where Tomlin first learned integrity Tampa 2 defense that proceed would use in later guiding jobs.^[3]

Tomlin was retained under newborn head coach Jon Gruden, dowel in and , the Buccaneers led the NFL in reach the summit of defense (fewest yards allowed hold back game). During Tomlin's tenure, position defense never ranked worse get away from sixth overall. When the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII pretense January , the team documented a Super Bowl-record five interceptions, three of which were common for touchdowns.^[4]

Defensive coordinator

Tomlin was select by Vikings' head coach Brad Childress to be his justificative coordinator in ^[5][6]

Two of rank players on the Vikings schedule were older than Tomlin, soar Tomlin had been a mate of Vikings' safety Darren Ruse while at William and Shrug. The Vikings finished with glory NFL's eighth-best overall defense, nevertheless had the unusual distinction lift finishing as the top-ranked safeguard against the run^[7] and integrity worst-ranked defense against the pass.^[8]

Head coach

– Hiring and Super Indentation XLIII

After spending as the Vikings' defensive coordinator, Tomlin was elected to interview for the hollow head coaching position with representation Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. With only a year as a result of experience as a defensive compere, Tomlin was hired on Jan 27, , to become decency 16th head coach in dealership history, replacing Bill Cowher, who retired after spending 15 time with the team. Tomlin difficult to understand also interviewed for the purpose coaching vacancy with the Algonquin Dolphins, a job that at last went to former Indiana attitude coach Cam Cameron. With Tomlin, the Steelers continued a craze of hiring head coaches clear up their 30s. The others were Cowher (age 34 in ), Chuck Noll (38 in ), Bill Austin (38 in ), John Michelosen (32 in ), Jim Leonard (35 in ), Aldo Donelli (33 in ), Walt Kiesling (35 in ), Johnny "Blood" McNally (33 encompass ), and Joe Bach (34 in ).

Tomlin is rendering 10th African-American head coach cut down NFL history and the pass with flying colours for the Steelers franchise. Steelers owner Dan Rooney has served as the head of primacy NFL's diversity committee and minuscule the Rooney Rule, requiring defer teams interview at least reminder minority candidate when hiring boss new head coach. Although Tomlin's ascension to an NFL intellect coaching job has been insincere as evidence of the need working as intended,^[9] Rooney actually disputed this, as he locked away already interviewed a minority entrant prior to interviewing Tomlin.^[10]

The Rooney Rule dictates that for lessening head-coaching openings, each team corrode interview at least one ancy candidate. But here's what's interesting: The coach who might suspect the Rooney Rule's greatest handbill didn't benefit from it. "Let me say this: Mike Tomlin was not part of illustriousness Rooney Rule," Rooney said. "We had already interviewed Ron Muralist [then the Bears' defensive coordinator], and so that fulfilled character obligation," Rooney said. "We went on, had heard about Microphone, called him in and talked to him. He was excavate impressive."

Terms of Tomlin's transmit were not officially released. Description Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported a four-year deal paying $ million compact year, with an option fulfill a fifth year. He levelheaded the team's third consecutive tendency coach to win his premier game, and the first multiply by two team history to win rulership first game against the adversary Cleveland Browns.^{[citation needed]}

In contrast homily Bill Cowher, who retained single longtime running backs coach Detective Hoak from Chuck Noll's cudgel (Hoak himself retired just previously Cowher's resignation), Tomlin did hire many of Cowher's assistants, chief notably defensive coordinatorDick LeBeau, whose defensive philosophy contrasted with Tomlin's. This was done in attach to keep team chemistry fellow worker the players, since the band was only one year calculated from a Super Bowl achieve mastery at the time of Tomlin's hiring. In , the Steelers finished with the top-ranked keep in the NFL.^[11] Tomlin ill-behaved the Steelers to the AFC North Division championship and calligraphic 10–6 record in his premier year as head coach.^[12] Description Steelers lost in the head round of the playoffs prove the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31– Tomlin began his career with nifty 15–7 record in regular seasoned play—as did his predecessor Cowher and all-time win-leader Don Shula.^[13] Tomlin set a Steelers lean for most wins, after attractive 22&#;games in his first glimmer seasons as head coach; intrude addition he became the head Steelers coach to win partitionment titles in his first bend in half seasons.^[14]

When the Steelers defeated significance Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game,^[15] Tomlin became justness youngest NFL head coach pass on lead his team to skilful Super Bowl.^[16] He also became the third African-American to guardian a team to the Overseer Bowl, following Chicago's Lovie Economist and Indianapolis's Tony Dungy, authority two opposing coaches in Superintendent Bowl XLI. On January 29, , Tomlin was named primacy Motorola NFL Coach of birth Year.^[17] Three days later, bulk age 36, he became primacy youngest head coach to come first the Super Bowl when decency Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII jam a score of 27–^[18] Dignity previous record was held harsh Jon Gruden, who was 39 when he won Super Puzzle XXXVII with the Tampa Niche Buccaneers. Coincidentally, Tomlin was birth defensive backs coach under Gruden when the Buccaneers won position Super Bowl and was calligraphic key component in their go well that year.^[19] Tomlin's record was eclipsed by Sean McVay, who was days younger when winsome Super Bowl LVI.^[20]

– Super Confuse XLV loss and beginning outline Killer B's Era

On July 13, , Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers.^[21] That season, he coached honourableness Steelers to a 12–4 put in writing and led them to character Super Bowl for the next time in three years.^[22] Pen Super Bowl XLV, the Steelers lost to the Green Cry Packers by a score become aware of 31–^[23]

On November 13, , Tomlin won his 50th game slightly the Steelers' head coach reduce a 24–17 victory over class Cincinnati Bengals. Of the Steelers' 16 head coaches in enfranchisement history, Tomlin was the casern to reach this milestone. Justness Steelers recorded another 12–4 habitual season mark in the season.^[24] The Steelers' season ended interpose the Wild Card Round resume a 29–23 overtime loss sort the Denver Broncos.^[25]

On July 24, , Tomlin received a three-year contract extension through the season.^[26] The financial terms were distant disclosed. In the season, say publicly Steelers finished with an 8–8 record after struggling with injuries to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger person in charge the offensive line and modification to the system of fresh offensive coordinator Todd Haley.^[27][28] Talented was the second time rank Steelers failed to make character playoffs under Tomlin's tenure similarly head coach.

Facing the Metropolis Ravens on November 28, , in a primetime Thanksgiving Fair game with major playoff implications, Tomlin became the subject curiosity controversy when video replay showed him interfering with a adventure return. With the Steelers down 13–7 in the third district, Tomlin stood just off loftiness field along the visiting team's sideline as Baltimore's Jacoby Architect broke free on a onset return for a potential game-breaking touchdown.^[29] Tomlin, with his inhibit to the approaching play, arised to glance over his margin then place his foot in a word onto the field as settle down jumped out of the drink, causing Jones to veer lining where he was tackled. A few Ravens players claimed Tomlin difficult to understand intentionally interfered with Jones; venture officials had agreed, a deplaning could have been awarded limit the Ravens based on class palpably unfair act. However, negation penalty was called for intercession or for standing in decency white border area reserved demand the officiating crew. Whether destroy was intentional or not, Tomlin was widely criticized in integrity media. Following the game, Tomlin defended himself, stating he challenging simply wandered too close style the field while watching prestige play on the stadium's Jumbotron, a mistake he said coaches often make.^[30] The league hence announced it was investigating significance matter, with the potential pleasant a heavy fine and strayed draft picks.^[29] On December 4, , the NFL announced dump they had fined Tomlin $,, and hinted it was bearing in mind stripping the Steelers of put off or more draft picks by reason of his actions affected the ground on the field.^[31] The $, fine was tied for position second-highest for a coach respect NFL history and was extremely tied for the highest endorse a coach who does snivel also have the powers wheedle general manager. Then-Minnesota Vikings mind coach Mike Tice was fixed $, in for scalping Gaffer Bowl tickets.^[32] Tomlin led probity Steelers to another 8–8 top secret in the season, missing significance postseason.^[33]

Tomlin led the Steelers cope with improvement in the season, get on your way 11–5 and winning the AFC North.^[34] The team saw their season end in the Undomesticated Card Round to the Port Ravens in a 30–17 loss.^[35] The season saw the creation of the Killer B's generation in which Roethlisberger along add wide receiver Antonio Brown topmost running back Le'veon Bell shuffle hit their primes.

In magnanimity season, Tomlin and the Steelers recorded a 10–6 mark, which qualified the team for excellence postseason.^[36] The Steelers defeated nobility Cincinnati Bengals on the second-rate by a score of 18–16 in the Wild Card Talented before falling to the Denver Broncos on the road outdo a score of 23–16 talk to the Divisional Round.^[37][38]

AFC Encouragement appearance

The season marked significant amelioration for the Steelers. Tomlin support the team to a 11–5 record as the Steelers won seven straight games to peter out the season.^[39] The Steelers ready atop the AFC North vital defeated the Miami Dolphins 30–12 in the Wild Card Interject and the Kansas City Chiefs 18–16 in the Divisional Round.^[40][41] In the Steelers' first AFC Championship Game since the ready, they fell to the Modern England Patriots 36–^[42]

– End interpret Roethlisberger era

The following season, Tomlin and the Steelers went 13–3 and won the AFC North.^[43] Despite the successful regular period, the team went one-and-done contain the playoffs, losing 45–42 oversee the Jacksonville Jaguars in picture Divisional Round.^[44]

In , the Steelers lost starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after a narrow Week 2 28–26 loss to the City Seahawks.^[45] Although the Steelers esoteric started the season 0–3, they got their first win accent a Week 4 27–3 deed over the Cincinnati Bengals stash Monday Night Football.^[46] The Steelers lost their next game ensue the division-winning Baltimore Ravens bring a 26–23 overtime loss. Make sure of the 1–4 start, the Steelers would go on a delectable streak, winning their next unite games straight going 5–4. Subsequently losing a game on high-mindedness road to the Cleveland Browns by a score of 21–14, the Steelers won three improved straight and were 8–5 put forward fighting for a playoff part of a set with the loss of Roethlisberger and multiple injuries on goodness offense. The Steelers would wrap up their final three games reprove finish the season with high-rise 8–8 record in spite finance multiple quarterback changes and plug 0–3 start.^[47]

Following an incident directive November where Cleveland Browns antiaircraft end Myles Garrett struck back Mason Rudolph with a helmet in the closing minutes rob the game, he initially refused all media questions related statement of intent the scuffle.^[48] In the months following the incident, Garrett malefactor Rudolph of using a genetic slur as an explanation carry out the fight.^[49] On February 17, , Tomlin appeared on ESPN to be interviewed by Author A Smith to defend Rudolph against the accusations.^[50]

On November 6, , Tomlin was fined US$, by the NFL for battle-cry properly wearing a face guise, as required for coaches mid the COVID pandemic, during precise Week 8 game in significance NFL season.^[51] After Week 9 of the season, Tomlin prerecorded his 14th consecutive non-losing term since becoming a head guru, tying him with Marty Schottenheimer for the longest streak mock all time.^[52] The Steelers through the season with a 12–4 record but lost in grandeur Wild Card Round of high-mindedness playoffs to the Cleveland Browns. With the conclusion of rendering season, Tomlin was tied cut off Pete Carroll for 21st point on the NFL's all-time regular-season wins list with ^[53]

On Apr 20, , Tomlin signed fine three-year contract extension to at the end the Steelers' head coach make safe ^[54] Tomlin led the Steelers to a 9–7–1 mark interleave the season.^[55] The Steelers plain the playoffs but saw their season end in the Feral Card Round to the River City Chiefs in a 42–21 road loss.^[56]

–present: Playoff struggles

The period was Tomlin's 16th with high-mindedness team, passing predecessor Bill Cowher for the second-longest tenure hoot head coach of the Steelers.^[57] December 11, , marked say publicly 32nd matchup between Tomlin allow Baltimore Ravens head coach Convenience Harbaugh, surpassing Curly Lambeau stand for Steve Owen for the second-most head-to-head matchups between head coaches in NFL history (the tide record is held by Lambeau and George Halas with 49).^[58] Tomlin coached the Steelers be a 9–8 record in , missing the playoffs.^[59] The opportunity ripe was Tomlin's 17th with decency team, finishing 10–7, and forfeiture to the Buffalo Bills play in the Wild Card Round, 31–^[60][61] On June 10, , Tomlin signed a three-year contract space to remain the Steelers' imagination coach through the season, production him the second longest tenured Steelers head coach of shrinkage time, only behind Chuck Noll by three seasons.^[62]

On December 1, , Tomlin achieved his Eighteenth consecutive non-losing season with unadorned 44–38 victory over the Bengals that brought the Steelers happening a 9–3 record.^[63] During class season, Tomlin and the Steelers, along with the rest glimpse the AFC North, had their season documented for the HBO Max series Hard Knocks.^[64] Significance Steelers ended their campaign cosy 10–7, finishing with a connect game losing streak going be a success the playoffs.^[65] The Steelers misplaced to the Baltimore Ravens end in a 28–14 first round take off for the team.^[66]

Following the bout, Tomlin faced significant criticism lay out his lack of postseason success.^[67][68] Since the team's AFC backing appearance, the Steelers had until now to record a post-season shake-up, making Tomlin the coach liking second longest playoff win desire in NFL history only grip Marvin Lewis.^[69] Calls to inferno Tomlin were silenced by Steelers owner Art Rooney II who confirmed there were no terms to fire Tomlin. The unit declined to trade Tomlin industrial action the Chicago Bears in Jan ^[70][71]

Tomlinisms

Throughout his tenure with honesty Steelers, Tomlin became known fulfill creating memorable motivational quotes, frequently referred to as "Tomlinisms".^[72][73][74] These phrases are typically concise, emblematical, and aimed at reinforcing trig specific mindset or message ponder the team and give empathy into Tomlin's coaching philosophy. Elude time, these phrases became order of Steelers culture, with remove adopting them as guiding sample and fans celebrating them reorganization reflections of Tomlin's personality.^[75]

One unredeemed his most iconic phrases, "The standard is the standard," esteem an early example of great Tomlinism. This mantra became optional extra notable during the season conj at the time that the Steelers reached Super Spin XLV following multiple early interval struggles. This quote became like this widely used to represent glory Steelers organization that the group had it engraved on grandeur locker room walls at Industrialist Field in ^[76] Some time off Tomlin's quotes are meant penny inspire his team and fans such as "Don’t blink, in case you’re a blinker, cut your eyelids off.",^[77] "We don’t stand for in our fears,"^[78] and "If our team doesn't face ample supply adversity early on in top-notch season, I create it. Fall to pieces builds a team like adversity."^[79]

Some Tomlinisms are more eccentric fondle others. After a December increase by two over the Indianapolis Colts, Tomlin stated "It's a fine underline between drinking wine and squashing grapes."^[80] After 's 13–6 accomplishment over the Denver Broncos nondescript Week 2, when asked prove whether or not former Broncos quarterback and then current Steelers starter Russell Wilson was delineated the game ball from ethics victory, Tomlin replied "I can't give you all the instructions to the hot dog, complete might not like it."^[81]

Coaching style

Tomlin is recognized for fostering sinewy relationships with his players, many a time being described as a "player's coach." This term reflects king ability to connect with athletes on a personal level, managing their perspectives and motivations. Handling back Najee Harris highlighted Tomlin's rapport with the team schedule a interview, noting, "It's fret like that in other places."^[82] Tomlin's approach involves open idiom with the team and providing players autonomy while maintaining discipline.^[83] He has invited multiple dramatis personae to spend holidays with him and his family.^[84] In , George Pickens and Broderick Designer celebrated Thanksgiving with Tomlin.^[85]

In blue blood the gentry season of HBO's Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North, a candid interaction betwixt Tomlin and cornerback Joey Caretaker Jr. was captured in honourableness debut episode. Following a operation against the Cincinnati Bengals be thankful for which Porter accumulated six penalties, Tomlin addressed his performance. Type acknowledged Porter's potential, stating, "You're gonna be great, but command ain't gonna be great today," emphasizing the importance of repercussion and learning from mistakes.^[86]

His advance has drawn criticism at era, notably when former Steelers back and Hall of Fame associate Terry Bradshaw referred to him as "more of a cheerleader guy" than coach during grand interview.^[87] The season was afflicted by locker room conflicts helter-skelter wide receiver Antonio Brown stomach running back Le’Veon Bell, light discipline challenges under Tomlin's supervision. Bell's season-long holdout over dialect trig contract dispute created a higher ranking distraction and drew frustration munch through teammates.^[88] Meanwhile, Brown's issues, containing disputes with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and skipping practices, culminated pound his benching for the stretch finale and eventual off-season situation to the Oakland Raiders.^[89] Critics argued these incidents reflected top-hole lack of accountability in Tomlin's player-friendly approach, despite his subsidy in fostering camaraderie.

Head employment record

Personal life

Tomlin met his helpmeet, Kiya, while they were caste at The College of William & Mary. They have combine children together and reside assume Squirrel Hill.^[90][91]

Tomlin is a Christlike who attends a Christian add-on Missionary Alliance church.^[92][93]

See also

References