Coach Mike Tomlin said in a prepared statement, “Coaching in Pittsburgh is unlike anywhere else…” and he will “forever be grateful for (his) time coaching in Pittsburgh.” Tomlin announced his departure from the Steelers yesterday, just a day removed from another playoff loss and after 19 years on the sidelines, never having finished with a losing record, taking eight AFC North titles, making the playoffs 13 times, with two Super Bowls, one of which he won.
Steelers President Art Rooney II said in his official statement, “His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated.”
For only the third time in 57 years, the Steelers are searching for a new head coach, and the names of potential candidates are flooding the media. Former head coaches John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, Brian Flores, Kliff Kingsbury, Robert Saleh, and Mike McDaniel; another former head coach, current offensive coordinator Arthur Smith; offensive coordinators such as Seattle’s Klint Kubiak and the Rams’ Mike LaFleur; and defensive coordinators Jesse Minter of the Chargers, the Rams’ Chris Shula, the Packers’ Jeff Hafley, and Anthony Weaver of the Dolphins have all been mentioned.
The hottest and quickest names to be mentioned yesterday were Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, and yes, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti.
Tomlin leaves the Steelers tied with Chuck Noll for first in all-time regular season wins, with 193, although Tomlin did it in 33 fewer games. Noll was 16-8 all-time in the postseason with four Super Bowls. Tomlin was 8-12 with one Super Bowl win in two appearances.
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