Mike Tomlin became the youngest coach in NFL history to win the Super Bowl when he directed the Pittsburgh Steelers to the title in 2009 – and the second black coach to sit atop the league after Tony Dungy.
He has exhibited beautiful leadership his entire tenure, balancing of discipline and freedom with his players, who respect and like him.
At 40 and entering the final year of his contract, the Steelers showed they did not want Tomlin feeling any insecurity about his job status. And so, they signed him to a three-year extension Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not released, but Forbes magazine had Tomilin listed as the sixth-highest paid coach in the NFL entering the season.
“I am excited that I will continue to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for years to come,” Tomlin said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Steelers organization for the opportunity I have been given over the past five years to work and live in this great city, and I am excited to continue to work to bring another championship to the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.”
The extension displays the team’s total confidence in Tomlin’s leadership prowess. He skillfully managed the team when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went through rape allegations that could have infected the team.
When injuries beset the team, they followed Tomlin’s poised leadership and held it together.
He has led Pittsburgh to the playoffs four times in his first five seasons, including two trips to the Super Bowl.
“We are pleased to announce that Mike Tomlin will remain with the Steelers for at least five more years,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “Mike is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League and we are thrilled he will continue to lead our team as we pursue another Super Bowl title.”
