Mike Tomlin stepping down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has informed the team that he is stepping down from his position.

Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement Tuesday afternoon, thanking Tomlin for his contributions to the team.

“During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our Head Coach,” Rooney said. “Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. 

It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin. 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.

My family and I, and everyone connected to Steelers management, are forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football.”

Tomlin resigns after wild-card round defeat

Tomlin’s resignation comes less than 24 hours after the Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round.

Pittsburgh’s last playoff win came against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 playoffs. Since then, Pittsburgh has lost its last seven postseason games. Tomlin’s seven-game postseason losing streak ties former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak by an NFL coach.

Steelers now looking for fourth head coach since 1969

Including Tomlin, the Steelers have only employed three head coaches since the 1969 season. Chuck Noll served as head coach from 1969 through the 1991 season, giving way to Crafton, Pennsylvania, native Bill Cowher, who helmed the position from 1992 through the 2006 season. Both Noll and Cowher have since been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

During Tomlin’s 19 seasons as head coach, he famously never finished with a losing record, with his teams finishing at a .500 record or better during his entire tenure.

Tomlin became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl at 36 years old, leading the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals, a record later surpassed by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay after McVay won Super Bowl LVI in 2021.

Tomlin’s Super Bowl victory in his second season as head coach made him the fastest Steelers coach to win a championship.

This is a developing story and will be updated.