Mike Tomlin has been the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007 and is entering his 18th season as the team’s leader, making him by far the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.
Despite an impressive run of consistently churning out seasons over .500, the Steelers haven’t reached the Super Bowl since 2010, which is something that Tomlin doesn’t take lightly.
After speaking with his former safety, Ryan Clark, on an episode of The Pivot recently, Tomlin said that not reaching a Super Bowl for 14 years has been “painful” but acknowledged that that’s just how life is.
Coach Tomlin calls not reaching the Super Bowl since the 2010 season “Painful”, but acknowledges “Life Is”.
Coach Tomlin is “chasing something”. It’s what motivates him every day. Players like Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, & Minkah Fitspatrick already embody championship DNA, but they… pic.twitter.com/gCEWRFuku2
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 10, 2024
Tomlin expounded that he feels he is still “chasing something” and that it’s what motivates him every day, knowing that he has players like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward on his roster who have championship DNA but have yet to have the honor of experiencing an actual championship.
Tomlin feels he owes it to his team’s leaders to get them there, and it’s what drives him every day.
Pittsburgh hasn’t been a threat to win it all since Ben Roethlisberger retired, yet Tomlin has found ways to win games anyway.
Expectations are high once again after signing Russell Wilson at quarterback to ideally serve as a significant upgrade over Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph from the last few seasons.
Most coaches wouldn’t survive a 14-year run of no Super Bowl appearances, but Tomlin is undoubtedly one of the best in the league and the Steelers have only had three coaches since 1969.
More franchises should learn to exhibit that kind of loyalty and patience.
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Mike Tomlin Has Blunt Response About Russell Wilson’s Status For Next Preseason Game