Mike Tomlin had almost reached two decades as a head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2025 season. He could have seemingly pushed for 20, but decided to leave his time with the team at 19 years. The decision sent shockwaves through the league in January, and after some time for the league and the team to process and move on from the move, Tomlin offered a new statement on his time with the team.
In a Thursday video clip via the official Steelers Ireland Instagram account, Tomlin spoke about his time with the team at The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala after receiving the Patricia R. Rooney Community Impact Award.
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“It’s been an honor to serve the greatest organization in sports,” Tomlin said. “It’s been an honor to be a part of this great community, to call it home, for our kids to call it home,” Tomlin said. “We’re in somewhat of a nomadic business, and so we don’t take that for granted, that our kids get an opportunity to call Pittsburgh home.
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“It’s been an honor to serve the community in which we live, its values that we hold, and it will continue. We appreciate the recognition, but as my wife said, we certainly don’t do it for that. We’ve been extremely blessed, man, and we’d just like to share those blessings. We thank you.”
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With Tomlin gone, the Steelers have pivoted to Mike McCarthy, a coach with personal ties to the city who has spent time coaching the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Now, McCarthy will have to continue perhaps Tomlin’s most impressive feat.
Mike Tomlin completes perfect career in specific way
After 19 years, Mike Tomlin left behind a legacy that had the perfect answer to give when asked one simple question: “Did he win?” Tomlin never surrendered a single losing season in 19 years.
Three times, the coach finished at .500 with 8-8 records when the league had 16 games. However, in every other season, Tomlin finished above .500. By walking away earlier this year, the coach solidified his perfect run of non-losing seasons.
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach also went to two Super Bowls and won one, adding an additional level of accomplishment to his career.
In terms of total wins, Tomlin finished 10th all-time, only finishing behind Bill Belichick and Andy Reid in terms of coaches who were active during his career.
Now, McCarthy will have to carry on the long-running stretch of non-losing seasons into what would be the team’s 23rd consecutive season without dipping below .500.
Edited by Ian Van Roy