History of Mike Tomlin in Timeline
Mike Tomlin is an American football coach who has served as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007. His impressive record includes 11 playoff appearances, seven division titles, three AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances, and a victory in Super Bowl XLIII. When he won Super Bowl XLIII, Tomlin, at age 36, was the youngest head coach to achieve this feat, a record later surpassed by Sean McVay. Tomlin's remarkable 17 consecutive non-losing seasons to start a career is a record. Only Tom Landry and Bill Belichick have had longer such streaks at any point in their careers. With the departure of Bill Belichick from the New England Patriots, Tomlin became the longest-tenured active head coach in the NFL as of the end of the 2023 season.
March 15, 1972: Birth of Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin was born on March 15, 1972.
1990: High School Graduation
Mike Tomlin graduated from Denbigh High School in 1990.
1994: All-Yankee Conference Selection
In 1994, Mike Tomlin was named a second-team All-Yankee Conference selection as a wide receiver.
1995: Coaching Debut at Virginia Military Institute
Mike Tomlin began his coaching career in 1995 as the wide receiver coach at Virginia Military Institute.
1995: College Graduation
Mike Tomlin graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1995.
1996: Graduate Assistant at University of Memphis
In 1996, Tomlin served as a graduate assistant at the University of Memphis.
1997: Defensive Backs Coach at Arkansas State University
Mike Tomlin was hired as the defensive backs coach at Arkansas State University in 1997.
2001: Joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Defensive Backs Coach
Mike Tomlin joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their defensive backs coach in 2001.
2002: Buccaneers Lead NFL in Total Defense
The Buccaneers led the NFL in total defense in 2002.
January 2003: Super Bowl XXXVII Victory
In January 2003, the Buccaneers, with Tomlin as defensive backs coach, won Super Bowl XXXVII.
2005: Buccaneers Lead NFL in Total Defense
The Buccaneers led the NFL in total defense in 2005.
2005: Steelers Win Super Bowl XL
The Steelers won Super Bowl XL in 2005.
2006: Vikings' Defensive Performance
In 2006, the Vikings' defense, under Tomlin's coordination, ranked eighth overall in the NFL, first against the run, and last against the pass.
2006: Defensive Coordinator for Minnesota Vikings
Mike Tomlin became the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006.
January 27, 2007: Officially Hired as Steelers Head Coach
Mike Tomlin was officially hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach on January 27, 2007.
2007: Mike Tomlin becomes Head Coach of Pittsburgh Steelers
In 2007, Mike Tomlin was hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2007: Steelers' Success in Tomlin's First Year
In 2007, Tomlin led the Steelers to a 10-6 record, the AFC North Division championship, and the top-ranked defense in the NFL.
2008: Youngest Coach to Lead Team to Super Bowl
In 2008, Tomlin became the youngest NFL head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
January 29, 2009: NFL Coach of the Year
On January 29, 2009, Mike Tomlin was named the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year.
July 13, 2010: Contract Extension
On July 13, 2010, Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers.
November 13, 2011: 50th Win as Steelers' Head Coach
On November 13, 2011, Tomlin achieved his 50th win as the Steelers' head coach.
January 2012: Death of Ed Tomlin
Mike Tomlin's birth father, Ed Tomlin, passed away in January 2012.
July 24, 2012: Contract Extension
On July 24, 2012, Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing his position through the 2016 season. The financial details of the agreement were not publicly disclosed.
November 28, 2013: Thanksgiving Day Controversy
On November 28, 2013, during a Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Tomlin was involved in a controversial incident where he appeared to interfere with a kick return by Jacoby Jones. Tomlin's actions drew criticism and led to an NFL investigation.
December 4, 2013: NFL Fine
On December 4, 2013, the NFL fined Mike Tomlin $100,000 for his interference with a kick return during the November 28th game against the Baltimore Ravens. The league also considered further disciplinary actions, such as forfeiting draft picks.
2014: AFC North Champions and Playoff Loss
In 2014, the Steelers, led by Mike Tomlin, won the AFC North with an 11-5 record. Their season ended with a Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
2015: Playoff Run
The Steelers finished the 2015 season with a 10-6 record and made the playoffs. They won against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round but lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.
2016: End of Contract Term
This year marks the end of Mike Tomlin's three-year contract extension that he signed on July 24, 2012.
2016: Improved Season and Playoff Run
The 2016 season saw the Steelers improve significantly, finishing 11-5 and winning the AFC North. They advanced to the AFC Championship game after playoff victories against the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs, but lost to the New England Patriots.
2019: Season of Adversity
In 2019, the Steelers faced numerous challenges, including the loss of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to injury early in the season. Despite an 0-3 start and multiple quarterback changes, the team managed to finish with an 8-8 record.
November 6, 2020: Mask Fine
Mike Tomlin was fined $100,000 by the NFL on November 6, 2020, for not properly wearing a face mask during a Week 8 game, violating the league's COVID-19 protocols.
February 22, 2021: COVID-19 Diagnosis
On February 22, 2021, Mike Tomlin announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.
April 20, 2021: Contract Extension
Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 20, 2021, keeping him with the team through 2024.
December 11, 2022: Coaching Milestone
On December 11, 2022, Mike Tomlin's game against John Harbaugh marked their 32nd head-to-head matchup, making it the second-most between coaches in NFL history at the time, surpassing Curly Lambeau and Steve Owen.
2023: Mike Tomlin Becomes Longest-Tenured Active NFL Head Coach
Following Bill Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots, Mike Tomlin became the longest-tenured active head coach in the NFL in 2023.
2023: 17th Season and Playoff Loss
The 2023 season was Mike Tomlin's 17th as head coach of the Steelers. The team finished with a 10-7 record but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.
2024: End of Contract Term
This year marks the end of Mike Tomlin's three-year contract extension which he signed on April 20, 2021.