History of Mike Tomlin in Timeline
Mike Tomlin is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007. He has achieved remarkable success, leading the team to 12 playoff appearances, seven division titles, three AFC Championship Games, and two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XLIII. At 36, he was the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl. Tomlin holds the record for 18 consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career. Following Bill Belichick's departure, Tomlin became the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the league.
1935: Joe Bach Hired as Head Coach
In 1935, Joe Bach was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 34, following a historical pattern of hiring head coaches in their 30s.
1937: Johnny "Blood" McNally Hired as Head Coach
In 1937, Johnny "Blood" McNally was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 33, continuing a trend of hiring young coaches.
1939: Walt Kiesling Hired as Head Coach
In 1939, Walt Kiesling was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 35, sustaining a trend of hiring coaches in their 30s.
1941: Aldo Donelli Hired as Head Coach
In 1941, Aldo Donelli became the head coach of the Steelers at age 33, keeping the tradition of hiring head coaches in their 30s.
1945: Jim Leonard Hired as Head Coach
In 1945, Jim Leonard became the head coach of the Steelers at 35, following the pattern of hiring head coaches in their 30s.
1948: John Michelosen Hired as Head Coach
In 1948, John Michelosen was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 32, maintaining a trend of younger head coaches.
1966: Bill Austin Hired as Head Coach
In 1966, Bill Austin was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 38, part of a trend of hiring head coaches in their 30s.
1969: Chuck Noll Hired as Head Coach
In 1969, Chuck Noll was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 38, continuing a trend of hiring young head coaches.
March 15, 1972: Michael Pettaway Tomlin Born
On March 15, 1972, Michael Pettaway Tomlin was born. He is now the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1992: Cowher Hired as Head Coach
In 1992, Bill Cowher was hired as the head coach of the Steelers at age 34, a trend continued with Tomlin's hiring.
1994: All-Yankee Conference Selection
In 1994, Mike Tomlin was selected as a second-team All-Yankee Conference selection as a wide receiver, recognizing his athletic achievements in college football.
1995: Graduated from the College of William and Mary
In 1995, Mike Tomlin graduated from the College of William and Mary with a sociology degree, marking the completion of his formal education.
1995: Began Coaching Career at Virginia Military Institute
In 1995, Mike Tomlin started his coaching career as the wide receiver coach at Virginia Military Institute, marking his entry into the world of professional coaching.
1996: Graduate Assistant at the University of Memphis
In 1996, Mike Tomlin served as a graduate assistant at the University of Memphis, where he worked with the defensive backs and special teams, further developing his coaching skills.
1997: Hired by Arkansas State University
In 1997, Mike Tomlin was hired by Arkansas State University to coach its defensive backs, continuing his progression in the coaching profession.
2001: Hired as Defensive Backs Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2001, Mike Tomlin was hired as the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under head coach Tony Dungy, marking a significant step in his NFL coaching career.
2002: Buccaneers Led NFL in Total Defense
In 2002, under Tomlin's guidance as the defensive backs coach, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the NFL in total defense, showcasing the effectiveness of their defensive strategies.
January 2003: Won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Buccaneers
In January 2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Mike Tomlin as their defensive backs coach, won Super Bowl XXXVII, marking a significant achievement in his early coaching career.
2005: 2005 Super Bowl
In 2005, Tomlin was selected to interview for the vacant head coaching position with the 2005 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
2005: Buccaneers Led NFL in Total Defense Again
In 2005, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers again led the NFL in total defense with Mike Tomlin as the defensive backs coach.
2005: Mike Tice Fined
In 2005, then-Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice was fined $100,000 for scalping Super Bowl tickets.
2006: Vikings Defensive Coordinator
In 2006, Mike Tomlin served as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
2006: Selected as Vikings' Defensive Coordinator
In 2006, Mike Tomlin was selected by Vikings' head coach Brad Childress to be his defensive coordinator, marking a significant step in his coaching career.
2006: Vikings Finished with Eighth-Best Overall Defense
In 2006, as defensive coordinator, Mike Tomlin helped the Vikings finish with the NFL's eighth-best overall defense, showcasing his impact on the team's performance.
January 27, 2007: Hired as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
On January 27, 2007, Mike Tomlin was hired as the 16th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, succeeding Bill Cowher and marking a major milestone in his coaching career.
2007: Joined the Pittsburgh Steelers
In 2007, Mike Tomlin became the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the beginning of his tenure with the team.
2007: Beginning of Tomlin-Roethlisberger Era
In 2007, Mike Tomlin was hired as head coach for the Steelers, marking the beginning of his tenure with Ben Roethlisberger as quarterback.
2007: First Season as Steelers Head Coach
In 2007, Mike Tomlin's first season as the Steelers' head coach, the team finished with the top-ranked defense in the NFL and won the AFC North Division championship with a 10-6 record.
2008: Led Steelers to Super Bowl
In 2008, Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to the Super Bowl, becoming the youngest NFL head coach to achieve this milestone. He also became the third African-American to coach a team to the Super Bowl.
January 29, 2009: Named 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year
On January 29, 2009, Mike Tomlin was named the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year, recognizing his outstanding performance as the Steelers' head coach.
July 13, 2010: Signed Contract Extension with Steelers
On July 13, 2010, Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers, securing his position as their head coach for the foreseeable future.
2010: "The Standard is the Standard" Emerges
During the 2010 season, "The standard is the standard" became an iconic phrase, becoming a symbol of the Steelers organization.
2010: First AFC Championship Game Since 2010
In 2016, the Steelers played in their first AFC Championship Game since the 2010 season, marking a return to prominence under Mike Tomlin's leadership.
November 13, 2011: Won 50th Game as Steelers Head Coach
On November 13, 2011, Mike Tomlin achieved his 50th win as the Steelers' head coach, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career with the team.
January 2012: Death of Father
In January 2012, Ed Tomlin, Mike Tomlin's father, died from an apparent heart attack at the age of 63 in Ocala, Florida.
July 24, 2012: Received Contract Extension
On July 24, 2012, Mike Tomlin received a three-year contract extension through the 2016 season, affirming his continued role as the Steelers' head coach.
November 28, 2013: Controversy in Thanksgiving Day Game
On November 28, 2013, during a Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Tomlin was involved in a controversy when he appeared to interfere with a kick return, sparking widespread criticism.
December 4, 2013: Fined by NFL
On December 4, 2013, the NFL fined Mike Tomlin $100,000 for interfering with play during the Thanksgiving Day game, highlighting the serious consequences of his actions.
2013: Tomlinism Engraved at Heinz Field
In 2013, the quote "The standard is the standard" was engraved on the locker room walls at Heinz Field.
2014: Improved Season and AFC North Win
In 2014, Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to an improved season with an 11–5 record and a win in the AFC North, marking a resurgence for the team.
2015: Steelers Qualified for Postseason
In 2015, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers achieved a 10–6 record, qualifying the team for the postseason, demonstrating their competitive edge.
2016: Contract Extension Through 2016
In 2012, Mike Tomlin received a contract extension through the 2016 season.
2016: Steelers Made Significant Improvement
In 2016, Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to a significant improvement with an 11–5 record, winning seven straight games to finish the season and topping the AFC North.
2016: Bradshaw's Criticism of Tomlin
In 2016, Terry Bradshaw referred to Mike Tomlin as "more of a cheerleader guy" than a coach, criticizing his leadership style.
2016: Last AFC Championship Appearance
In 2016, the Steelers made their last AFC Championship appearance under Mike Tomlin's leadership, marking a subsequent period without a post-season victory.
2018: Locker Room Conflicts
The 2018 season was plagued by locker room conflicts involving Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, highlighting discipline challenges under Mike Tomlin's leadership.
November 2019: Myles Garrett Incident
In November 2019, during a game, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett struck Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, leading to controversy and media attention.
2019: Steelers Faced Quarterback and Injury Challenges
In 2019, the Steelers, under Mike Tomlin, faced significant challenges, including the loss of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and multiple injuries on offense.
February 17, 2020: Tomlin Defended Rudolph Against Accusations
On February 17, 2020, Mike Tomlin appeared on ESPN to defend Mason Rudolph against accusations of using a racial slur during the Myles Garrett incident, showing his support for his player.
November 6, 2020: Fined for Not Wearing Face Mask
On November 6, 2020, Mike Tomlin was fined US$100,000 by the NFL for not properly wearing a face mask, as required during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the league's strict protocols.
December 2020: "Wine and Grapes" Tomlinism
Following a December 2020 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Mike Tomlin stated "It's a fine line between drinking wine and squashing grapes."
April 20, 2021: Contract Extension Signed
On April 20, 2021, Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension to remain the Steelers' head coach through 2024.
2021: Ben Roethlisberger's Final Season
The 2021 season was Ben Roethlisberger's 18th and final season playing as quarterback for the Steelers during Mike Tomlin's tenure as head coach.
February 2022: Roethlisberger Retirement
Ben Roethlisberger retired in February 2022, marking the end of an era with Mike Tomlin as head coach.
December 11, 2022: Tomlin vs. Harbaugh Matchup
On December 11, 2022, the matchup between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh marked their 32nd head-to-head game, surpassing Curly Lambeau and Steve Owen for the second-most in NFL history.
2023: Longest-Tenured Active Head Coach
Following Bill Belichick's departure in 2023, Mike Tomlin became the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, demonstrating his enduring presence and stability within the league.
2023: Players Spend Thanksgiving with Tomlin
In 2023, George Pickens and Broderick Jones celebrated Thanksgiving with Mike Tomlin and his family, demonstrating his close relationships with players.
2023: Tomlin's 17th Season
In 2023, Mike Tomlin coached his 17th season with the Steelers, finishing with a 10-7 record.
June 10, 2024: Contract Extension Signed
On June 10, 2024, Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension to remain the Steelers' head coach through the 2027 season.
December 1, 2024: 18th Consecutive Non-Losing Season
On December 1, 2024, Mike Tomlin achieved his 18th consecutive non-losing season with a victory over the Bengals, bringing the Steelers to a 9-3 record.
2024: "Hot Dog Ingredients" Tomlinism
After the 2024 victory over the Denver Broncos, Mike Tomlin responded to a question about Russell Wilson with "I can't give you all the ingredients to the hot dog, you might not like it."
2024: Criticism for Postseason Performance
Following the 2024 season, Mike Tomlin faced significant criticism for his lack of postseason success since the team's 2016 AFC championship appearance.
2024: Contract Extension Year
In 2024, Mike Tomlin was under contract as head coach of the Steelers, following the contract extension he signed on April 20, 2021.
2024: Najee Harris on Tomlin's Player Rapport
In a 2024 interview, Najee Harris highlighted Mike Tomlin's rapport with the team, calling him a "player's coach."
2024: Tomlin's Interaction with Joey Porter Jr.
In the 2024 season of HBO's Hard Knocks, Mike Tomlin addressed Joey Porter Jr.'s performance, stating "You're gonna be great, but you ain't gonna be great today," emphasizing growth and learning from mistakes.
January 2025: No trade for Mike Tomlin
In January 2025, the Steelers declined to trade Mike Tomlin to the Chicago Bears, despite criticism of the team's performance.
2027: Contract Extension Year
In 2027, Mike Tomlin will be under contract as head coach of the Steelers, following the contract extension he signed on June 10, 2024.
