STEELERS SEASON WRAP UP: THANK YOU COACH TOMLIN
- Tyler Yasembousky, Contributor
I originally planned to write this article as a recap of the disaster that was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
But then Mike Tomlin officially stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Wild Card loss was something we all saw coming. Still, there was a real chance that Tomlin would return for one final season and finish out his contract, potentially chasing his 20th straight year without a losing record. Instead, Coach went to ownership and decided that now was the right time to step away.
A couple of weeks ago, for the first time all season, I publicly said that this should be Mike Tomlin’s final year in Pittsburgh. That wasn’t because I don’t believe Tomlin is a great coach — it’s actually the opposite.
Mike Tomlin is too good of a coach.
He’s too good to let this team be bad enough to truly rebuild. Even in what should have been a rebuilding year — with Kenny Pickett at quarterback — the Steelers still finished 9–8. That’s the Mike Tomlin effect.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly why Pittsburgh and Tomlin needed to part ways.
For the Steelers to truly start over, a full rebuild was required — something this franchise hasn’t done since drafting Ben Roethlisberger.
And yes, that means being bad. I’m talking 3–4 wins bad. Top-five pick bad.
Especially with how strong next year’s quarterback draft class is shaping up to be.
I’d personally rather see the team move on from Aaron Rodgers as well and start Will Howard, the rookie we drafted this past season. Give him a full year to see if there’s anything special there, and if not, you’re perfectly positioned to draft your future quarterback.
It makes a rough season not only tolerable — but necessary.
I know many Steelers fans think it’s blasphemy to want a losing season. But winning 9 or 10 games every year only to lose in the first round of the playoffs has gotten this franchise absolutely nowhere.
The definition of insanity… you know the rest.
Before I move on to names I’d like to see as the next head coach, I want to make one thing very clear:
I love Mike Tomlin.
I admire him. I respect him. If he ever decides to coach again, I wish him nothing but success. If he never coaches another game, he’s a Hall of Famer without question.
Thank you for everything, Coach T.
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Head Coaching Candidates I’d Love to See in Pittsburgh (Written Before McCarthy's Hiring)
Nathan Scheelhaase
The next “kid genius.”
Scheelhaase is the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and has been under Sean McVay, helping design one of the most explosive offenses in football. He’s just 35 years old, and the league has clearly shifted toward offensive-minded head coaches.
The Steelers have remained a top-10 defense for most of the past decade. But since Ben left, the offense has been downright awful.
The defense is bought and paid for. It’s time to build an offense that can actually compete instead of asking the defense to save every game.
Scheelhaase could change the culture on that side of the ball immediately.
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Klint Kubiak
The 49ers’ offensive coordinator and a very intriguing candidate from the Shanahan system.
Creative, modern, and proven. This would be another fantastic hire.
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Brian Flores
Currently the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and a former member of the Steelers organization.
Flores feels like the most “Tomlin-esque” option available. He’s a run-through-a-wall type of leader who has his teams ready to battle every week.
My only concern would be the offense — but there are plenty of quality offensive coordinators available that Flores could bring with him.
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Chris Shula
The Rams’ defensive coordinator with strong lineage from the Shula family and experience under Sean McVay.
A defensive-minded coach with offensive ties — and a name that commands respect.
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Curt Cignetti
This one probably won’t happen… but I had to include it.
The dream hire.
A Pittsburgh native returning home after winning a national championship at Indiana — the first football title in that school’s history. It’s a long shot, but it would be storybook.
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It’s been another interesting season as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
I can’t wait to see who this franchise hires and where this team goes from here.
I’ll see you all next season — and thank you for following my recaps and opinions all year long.