PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a head coach for only the third time in 57 years after Mike Tomlin stepped down Tuesday, ending a 19-season tenure that included one Super Bowl title but a growing pattern of early playoff exits.
The announcement came one day after the Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in a wild-card playoff game, the most lopsided home playoff loss in franchise history. Tomlin, 53, leaves with 193 regular-season wins, tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the most in team history, but a postseason record of 8-12. He lost his final seven playoff games, all by double-digit margins.
“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,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “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.”
Tomlin was hired in early 2007 to replace Bill Cowher, and he won Super Bowl XLIII in his second season. The Steelers returned to the Super Bowl after the 2010 season but lost to Green Bay. Since then, Pittsburgh settled into a pattern of solid regular seasons followed by short playoff runs. The club finished with nine or 10 wins in each of Tomlin’s final five seasons, often sneaking into the playoffs before being eliminated by a more talented opponent.
The move creates the ninth NFL head coaching vacancy, including the Las Vegas Raiders. Tomlin had two years left on the contract extension he signed in 2024, with the club holding an option for 2027.
