After Mike Tomlin’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, tributes and praise poured in from across the football world. On January 13, Tomlin left the organization, ending a 19-year career with the team. Now, he continues to receive credit from many who interacted with him.
What Did One Analyst Say in Praise of Mike Tomlin Upon His Exit From Pittsburgh?
After 309 games, two Super Bowl appearances, and one world championship, Tomlin headed out of Pittsburgh. The Houston Texans eliminated the Steelers in the Wild Card game, winning 30-6. Tomlin’s career achievements prompted this response from analyst Booger McFarland.
In a day and age where coaches aren’t revered. It put a smile on my face that after Mike T shared with his team he was stepping down. They stood up and gave him a standing ovation. Last of a dying breed. Revered and respected
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) January 14, 2026
“In a day and age where coaches aren’t revered. It put a smile on my face that after Mike T shared with his team that he was stepping down. They stood up and gave him a standing ovation. Last of a dying breed. Revered and respected.”
McFarland speaks from a personal knowledge of Tomlin’s impact as a coach. From 2001 to 2006, he watched Tomlin coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary. In that time, the defense only ranked outside of the Top 10 in yards and points allowed just once. He served a year as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator before starting his career in Pittsburgh.
Defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who played 15 seasons for Tomlin, expressed to ESPN’s Brianna Williams what he believes the general public failed to understand about his now-former head coach.
“I don’t really care about that noise because they don’t know what Mike T puts into this,” Heyward said. “They don’t know how he goes out of his way to prepare every man. They don’t know about the countless nights that man is in there studying film.”
In the middle of McFarland’s tweet, he mentioned Tomlin’s reputation as a player’s coach. Meaning, he can understand and relate to his players. While still a disciplinarian, the former head coach apparently related to his players.
In McFarland’s estimation, the coaching dynamic shifted away from Tomlin’s style. Now, coaches appear to command respect but not the effusive reverence that Steelers’ players and foes do for him. With free agency and coaching movement, coaches seem to stay for less time. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is now the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, with 12 years of service.
Meanwhile, six coaches sport less than two seasons of experience. With the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals all needing coaches, the cycle continues.
Tomlin will enjoy his pick of new jobs/assignments. He could end up returning to the sidelines sooner than many think.
