Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the NFL. Tomlin is a terrific leader who has the respect of his peers, and his track record speaks for itself.
In addition to boasting a pair of Super Bowl rings (one as a head coach and one as an assistant), he’s never posted a losing record as an NFL head coach. But before he started coaching, did he play football professionally?
Revisiting Mike Tomlin’s Playing Days
Prior to his coaching career, Tomlin was a wide receiver who played college football at the University of William & Mary. Tomlin was a three-year starter and an All-Yankee Conference Second-Team selection in 1994.
He finished his collegiate career with 101 receptions for 2,054 yards and 20 touchdown receptions.
Tomlin’s playing career did not continue after college, as he never played in the NFL or any professional leagues. However, once he transitioned to coaching, he quickly rose through the ranks.
Tomlin’s Coaching Career
Tomlin began his coaching career at the collegiate level, starting with the Virginia Military Institute, where he coached wide receivers during the 1995 season. In 1996, he moved on to serve as a graduate assistant with the Memphis Tigers before taking over as defensive backs coach for the Arkansas State Red Wolves in 1997.
After two seasons at Arkansas State, Tomlin accepted a defensive backs coaching role at the Cincinnati Bearcats. During the 2000 season, he helped guide Cincinnati’s defense to the eighth-most interceptions in the nation, a sign of his early impact on the defensive side of the ball.
Following five years in the college ranks, Tomlin made the jump to the NFL when he was hired as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was part of the coaching staff that built one of the greatest defenses in league history, as the 2002 Buccaneers went on to win Super Bowl XXXVII. That unit was highlighted by a dominant secondary, including Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson.
Tomlin remained in Tampa Bay through the 2006 season before being hired as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite being younger than two players on the roster, Tomlin oversaw a defense that did not allow a single 100-yard rusher that season, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s brightest young coaching minds.
Tomlin’s success with the Vikings led to head-coaching buzz. Shortly after, the Steelers hired Tomlin as their head coach. He became just their third head coach since 1969.
Tomlin was just 34 years old when the Steelers hired him, meaning he wasn’t even old enough to run for president of the United States. Now, he’s still there nearly two decades later. He’s now in his 18th season at the helm in Pittsburgh, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.
Tomlin has led the Steelers to 13 playoff appearances, eight division titles, five Divisional Rounds, three AFC Championship Games, and two Super Bowls. He currently has a record of 193-114-2 in the regular season, and 8-11 in the playoffs.
In 2009, Tomlin and the Steelers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl 43.
