Mike Tomlin has stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons, ending one of the longest tenures in NFL history. The 53-year-old coach, who led Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl victory in 2008 and 13 playoff appearances, departs amid the team's ongoing playoff drought. Tomlin's decision follows a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, marking Pittsburgh's ninth straight season without a postseason win.
Mike Tomlin's departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers marks the end of an era defined by remarkable consistency and occasional brilliance. Hired in 2007 at age 34, Tomlin became the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl in his second season, guiding the Steelers to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. He later led Pittsburgh to another appearance in Super Bowl XLV, though they fell to the Green Bay Packers.
Over 19 seasons, Tomlin compiled a 193-114-2 regular-season record, tying Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for ninth on the NFL's all-time wins list. His teams never finished below .500, achieving 19 straight non-losing seasons—a feat unmatched in league history. Pittsburgh won the AFC North eight times under Tomlin and reached the playoffs 13 times, securing the franchise's sixth Lombardi Trophy.
"During our meeting today, coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our head coach," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we shared over the last 19 years. ... His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated."
Tomlin's tenure, however, was overshadowed by postseason struggles in recent years. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since January 2017, enduring a nine-season drought. Their latest exit came in a lopsided 30-6 defeat to the Texans, where quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a pick-six and was sacked four times. Tomlin's teams lost seven consecutive playoff games, tying former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the most in NFL history.
Post-Ben Roethlisberger's 2021 retirement, Pittsburgh cycled through six starting quarterbacks, including Rodgers in 2025. Despite a 10-7 regular season and AFC North title, the offense managed just 175 yards against Houston's top-ranked defense.
"This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team," Tomlin said. "I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support."
The Steelers, who have had only three head coaches since 1969 (Noll, Bill Cowher, Tomlin), now face their first search since hiring Tomlin in 2007. Pittsburgh retains Tomlin's rights, meaning any team interested in hiring him would need to negotiate a trade. Potential candidates include Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. Tomlin, a likely future Hall of Famer, may pursue broadcasting or take time away before returning to coaching.
