Steelers Name Mike Tomlin the 16th Head Coach in Team History

 PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT

 

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers announced today the hiring of Mike Tomlin as the 16th head coach in team history.

 

Tomlin, 34, was the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2006 after spending the previous five seasons (2001-05) as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He replaces Bill Cowher, who resigned Jan. 5 after 15 seasons as the Steelers' head coach.

 

"We are very excited to announce that Mike Tomlin has accepted the position of head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "Mike emerged as our top choice from a pool of several very qualified candidates that we interviewed. I think Mike's core beliefs are a good match for our organization and the way we want to approach the game of football."

 

Prior to joining Tampa Bay, Tomlin spent two seasons as defensive backs coach at the University of Cincinnati (1999-00). Tomlin began his coaching career in 1995 as wide receivers coach at Virginia Military Institute. He coached defensive backs and special teams at Memphis in 1996, before moving on to Arkansas State, where he coached wide receivers in 1997 and defensive backs in 1998.

 

"We feel Mike Tomlin is the ideal person to uphold the strong history and tradition of Steelers football," said Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney. "Mike possesses the qualities we were looking for as the  leader of our team, and we look forward to working with him for many years to come."

 

Under Tomlin's guidance, Minnesota led the NFL in stopping the run and ranked eighth in the league in total defense. At Tampa Bay, he helped the Buccaneers lead the NFL in pass defense in 2004 and rank third in 2003.

 

In 2002, Tomlin guided Tampa Bay's defensive backfield that led the NFL in pass defense and interceptions (31), while limiting opposing passers to a 48.4 rating and just 10 touchdowns en route to winning Super Bowl XXXVII. The Buccaneers ranked fifth in the NFL in pass defense and second in interceptions (28) in 2001, Tomlin's first season in Tampa Bay.

 

Born in Hampton, Va., Tomlin was a three-year starter at wide receiver for William & Mary and finished his playing career with 101 receptions for 2,053 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was a second-team All-Yankee Conference selection in 1994.

 

Tomlin's first season as Steelers head coach will take place during the team's 75th Anniversary season. He is only the third person to hold the position of head coach for the team dating back to 1969 when the team hired then 36-year-old Chuck Noll.

 

Following is a list of the Steelers' head coaches during the team's first 74 seasons:

 

 

All-Time Steelers Head Coaching Records

(Includes postseason games)

 

                        Years               Coach                                             Record

                        1933................ Forrest (Jap) Douds............................. 3-6-2

                        1934................ Luby DiMelio..................................... 2-10-0

                        1935-36............ Joe Bach......................................... 10-14-0

                        1937-39............ Johnny (Blood) McNally*..................... 6-19-0

                        1939-40............ Walt Kiesling..................................... 3-13-3

                        1941................ Bert Bell**........................................... 0-2-0

                                                Aldo (Buff) Donelli***............................ 0-5-0

                        1941-44............ Walt Kiesling****.............................. 13-20-2

                        1945................ Jim Leonard........................................ 2-8-0

                        1946-47............ Jock Sutherland............................... 13-10-1

                        1948-1951........ Johnny Michelosen........................... 20-26-2

                        1952-53............ Joe Bach......................................... 11-13-0

                        1954-56............ Walt Kiesling................................... 14-22-0

                        1957-64............ Raymond (Buddy) Parker.................. 51-47-6

                        1965................ Mike Nixon........................................ 2-12-0

                        1966-68............ Bill Austin........................................ 11-28-3

                        1969-91............ Chuck Noll................................... 209-156-1

                        1992-06............ Bill Cowher.................................... 161-99-1

 

                    *    Released after three games in 1939

                         **    Released after two games in 1941

                       ***    Released after five games in 1941

                     ****    Co-coach with Earle (Greasy) Neale in Philadelphia-Pittsburgh merger in

                                1943 and with Phil Handler in Chicago Cardinals-Pittsburgh merger in 1944.

 

 

 

 

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