Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Part Ways After 19 Seasons; What’s Next for Tomlin?

• Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons.
• Tomlin didn’t have a record below .500 in 19 seasons, but he has lost his last seven playoff games.
• Tomlin will have no shortage of suitors for a new job, including media.

Mike Tomlin has left his position as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 years. Tomlin has consistently kept the Steelers above water, but his playoff record was his downfall.

Tomlin now joins the coaching cycle, and he’ll be a wanted man, but he could also work in media.

Tomlin Hasn’t Won a Playoff Game Since 2016

The news was dropped on Tuesday afternoon, one day after the Steelers were eliminated 30-7 by Houston at home in the Wild Card round.

Tomlin joined the Steelers in 2007, and won the Super Bowl in his second season, beating Arizona 27-23. Two years later, Tomlin took the Steelers to the Super Bowl again, where they lost to Green Bay. However, a lack of playoff success since then has been Tomlin’s downfall. The Steelers are 3-10 in their last 13 playoff games, including a winless streak of 0-7.

But Tomlin’s mark of 19 seasons without a record worse than .500 is incredible, and he has done it with some teams that should have finished below .500. Players love him as a coach, for the most part.

After Tomlin stepped down, and Baltimore fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, Kansas City’s Andy Reid is the longest-tenured NFL head coach at 13 seasons.

Where Could Tomlin End Up Next?

Tomlin joints the NFL coaching carousel as arguably the biggest name on the market; it’s either Tomlin or Harbaugh. There are several teams now, that have coaches and are looking, that would be interested in talking to the 53-year-old.

He could also decide to take some time and work in the media, which many coaches have done in the past. Tomlin is very engaging, and working on a studio show would allow him to stay in football.

But Tomlin’s phone is likely ringing off the hook right now with teams that would like to see where his head is at. The Steelers now have to start a head-coaching search for the first time in almost 20 years. This NFL coaching cycle may be one of the wildest we’ve ever seen!