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đź“» IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE đź“»
Tomlin calls timeout after 19 seasons as Steelers coach
Will Graves •  January 14th, 2026 10:53 am
After 19 years, Mike Tomlin has stepped down as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers | Photo: AP
Mike Tomlin, the longest-tenured head coach in major American professional sports, has stepped down from his job leading the Pittsburgh Steelers after yet another quick playoff exit.
The announcement on Tuesday (local time) came a day after the end of his 19th season in Pittsburgh, where he was a relative unknown when hired to replace Bill Cowher in early 2007, before carving out his own Hall of Fame-worthy chapter in team history.
"I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador (Dan) Rooney for their trust and support," Tomlin said in a statement released by the team.
Mike Tomlin has called a permanent timeout on his stint as Pittsburgh Steelers coach | Photo: AP
"I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful."
Art Rooney II, who took over for his Hall of Fame father as team president in 2003, lauded Tomlin for his dedication to the franchise and his uncanny ability to churn out competitive teams year after year in an era when parity is the norm.
"It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin," Rooney said in a statement.
"He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career.
"His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated."
Tomlin won one Super Bowl (2009) and went to another in his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, before the club settled into a pattern of solid if not always spectacular play followed by a playoff cameo that ended with the Steelers on the wrong side of a blowout.
The 53-year-old won 193 regular-season games in Pittsburgh, tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the most victories in franchise history.
However, their resumes diverged when it comes to the playoffs. While Noll won four Super Bowls in the 1970s, Tomlin went just 8-12 in the post-season, losing each of his last seven playoff games, all by double-digit margins.
Mike Tomlin guided the Steelers to victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 Super Bowl | Photo: AP
The last came on Monday night (local time), when the AFC North champions squandered some early momentum before getting drilled 30-6 by Houston, the most lopsided home playoff loss in team history.
The Steelers finished with nine or 10 wins in each of Tomlin's final five seasons, often doing just enough to squeak into the playoffs before being exposed by a more talented opponent.
Tomlin had two years left on the contract extension he signed in 2024, with the club holding the option for 2027.
His departure leaves the Steelers looking for a head coach for just the third time since they hired Noll in 1969.
- AP
