By Edward G. Robinson III
AFRO Sports Editor
Mike Tomlin addressed the media with that familiar stoic visage, maintaining that husky tone, his words spilling out edgy and pensive, all in an effort to explain his team’s 30-6 season-ending loss to the Houston Texans in the NFL Wild Card game on Jan. 12.
He wasn’t in the mood for long-winded explanations or big-picture discussions about his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’m not going to make excuses,” he said. “This is not an excuse-business. We didn’t make enough plays and they certainly did.”
Many in the room suspected that after 19 seasons as head coach, Tomlin’s time had come to an end. While his teams had consistently won during the regular season, and reached two Super Bowls over the years, the Steelers had struggled in the playoffs recently and this was just another example of why it was time for the team to part ways.
Still, the coach had earned the right to explain away the embarrassing loss, even blame a 42 year-old quarterback, blame unreliable receivers, blame injuries, blame the cold weather. This was the perfect time for excuses, time for deflection and future plans.
But that’s not Tomlin.
A reporter asked what message he had for fans after another disappointing loss, and he replied:
“When you don’t get it done, words are cheap,” he said. “It’s about what you do or don’t do. I appreciate the question. But people talk too much in our business. It’s either you do or don’t.”
Tomlin, a terse wordsmith, made a career of doing. He did–until he officially stepped down as coach on Jan. 12.
Job well done.
His departure comes after 19 seasons where he led a historic franchise to a sixth Super Bowl championship in 2009, eight AFC North titles and 12 playoff appearances.
Pittsburgh hired Tomlin in 2007 after a stint as a defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.
His intentions were clear from the introductory press conference where he said, “It’s a great honor to be part of one of the most historic sports franchises in all of professional sports. … What we are going to do is promise to have a first class, blue collar worth ethic in the way we handle our business.”
Check and check.
Tomlin quickly made a name for himself and at age 36 became the youngest coach to win a league championship when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII.
Players deemed him a “player’s coach” and his resolute presence at press conferences reflected his no-nonsense style. He spoke with authority and earned a reputation as a coach with a spend-the-night-in-the-office work ethic. As promised.
Art Rooney II, who has taken ownership reigns of the Steelers, called Tomlin a class act. He reflected positively on the coach’s straight-head approach and follow-through.
Tomlin, who grew up in Hampton, Va., and played wide receiver at William and Mary, entered the league with help from Tony Dungy, a head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dungy hired Tomlin as a defensive backs coach.
Look around the NFL today and owners – encouraged by the Rooney Rule that requires minority candidates be included in the hiring process – have hired more African American coaches than years past. Let’s not pretend that access to the highest coaching ranks or senior positions are now easy for blacks or equal to anyone. That progress is still to come.
But we can say it’s a better landscape. Credit Tomlin for providing an example for owners to consider.
Tomlin employed a management style that demanded discipline and was based in integrity. Plus his teams got at you defensively.
Under Tomlin’s leadership, Steelers defenses were hard-hitting and game-changing.
Baltimore fans will recall many Sunday afternoons of pad-thumping between the two franchises.
So it made sense when Tomlin repeated the refrain:
“We didn’t make plays.”
That’s what his teams were known for when things were going well.
And that was much of the time, considering during his tenure no Pittsburgh squad posted a losing regular-season record.
Think about that.
He and former Steelers coach Chuck Noll are tied for the most regular season wins in franchise history with 193 victories.
Noll’s bust sits in the Hall of Fame, undoubtedly a future destination for Tomlin whose overall regular season record is 193-114-2. Those who balk at his playoff record (8-12) must remember that he won a Super Bowl championship and finished as a runner up in another.
Teams will call Tomlin, 53, to check his temperature about future jobs. Perhaps the Ravens might dial his number as owner Steven Bisciotti joked. (Not likely.)
In the immediate future, he may return to the sidelines as a coach, perhaps in one of the nine current open head coaching positions.
It’s doubtful. More likely, fans will hear from Tomlin as a weekend television host, offering his gruff opinions and insights.A couple of years ago, he ruled out coaching in the college ranks. In fact, he bristled at the notion.
“That’s a joke to me,” he said. “I have one of the best jobs in all of professional sports. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? That will be the last time I address it. And not only today but moving forward. Never say never but never.”
He then added, “Okay, anybody else have any questions about any college jobs? It’s not a booster with a big enough blank check.”
He said what he said.