Mike Tomlin stepping down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has knowledgeable the group that he’s stepping down from his place.

Steelers president Artwork Rooney II launched an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, thanking Tomlin for his contributions to the group.

“Throughout our assembly right this moment, Coach Tomlin knowledgeable me that he has determined to step down as our Head Coach,” Rooney stated.  

“Clearly, I’m extraordinarily grateful to Mike for all of the arduous work, dedication and success now we have shared over the past 19 years. It’s arduous for me to place into phrases the extent of respect and appreciation I’ve for Coach Tomlin. He guided the franchise to our sixth Tremendous Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 occasions throughout his tenure, together with profitable the AFC North eight occasions in his profession. His observe file of by no means having a shedding season in 19 years will seemingly by no means be duplicated.”

Tomlin additionally issued his personal assertion, thanking the group, gamers, and followers for his or her help throughout his tenure.

“After a lot thought and reflection, I’ve determined to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This group has been an enormous a part of my life for a few years, and it has been an absolute honor to guide this group. I’m deeply grateful to Artwork Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for his or her belief and help.

“Whereas this chapter involves an in depth, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t ever change. I’m excited for what the long run holds for this group, and I’ll endlessly be pleased about my time teaching in Pittsburgh.”

Tomlin resigns after wild-card spherical defeat

Tomlin’s resignation comes lower than 24 hours after the Steelers misplaced 30-6 to the Houston Texans within the AFC wild-card spherical.

Pittsburgh’s final playoff win got here in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the 2016 playoffs. Since then, Pittsburgh has misplaced its final seven postseason video games. Tomlin’s seven-game postseason shedding streak ties former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff shedding streak by an NFL coach.

Steelers teaching search 

Together with Tomlin, the Steelers have solely employed three head coaches for the reason that 1969 season. Chuck Noll served as head coach from 1969 via the 1991 season, giving method to Crafton, Pennsylvania, native Invoice Cowher, who helmed the place from 1992 via the 2006 season. Each Noll and Cowher have since been elected to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Throughout Tomlin’s 19 seasons as head coach, he famously by no means completed with a shedding file, along with his groups ending at a .500 file or higher throughout his whole tenure.

Tomlin turned the youngest head coach in NFL historical past to win a Tremendous Bowl at 36 years outdated, main the Steelers to victory in Tremendous Bowl XLIII in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, a file later surpassed by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay after McVay received Tremendous Bowl LVI in 2021.

Tomlin’s Tremendous Bowl victory in his second season as head coach made him the quickest Steelers coach to win a championship.

AFC North teaching turnover

Throughout the span of 9 days, three of the 4 groups within the AFC North have head coach openings. 

Kevin Stefanski was fired by the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 5 after going 46-58 throughout six seasons because the group’s head coach. In the future later, the Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. His last recreation as coach of the group was a 26-24 loss to the Steelers in Week 18. 

Now, after Tomlin introduced he’s stepping down, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor is the one returning coach within the division.