NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin steps down after 19 seasons
Steelers President Art Rooney II thanked the 53-year-old for his "dedication and success".
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is stepping down after nearly two decades, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old will leave the role following 19 seasons in Pittsburgh, a tenure that made him the longest-serving head coach of a singular North American professional sports franchise.
Tomlin also departs with his remarkable record of never having a losing season with the Steelers intact.
In a statement, Steelers President Art Rooney II said he would be “forever grateful” to the Super Bowl-winning coach, hailing his “hard work, dedication and success”.
The statement read: “During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he decided to step down as our Head Coach.
“Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years.
“It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin. He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career.
“His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated.
“My family and I, and everyone connected to Steelers management, are forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football.”
Tomlin guided the Steelers to Super Bowl at the end of the 2008 season, beating Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Tampa, Florida.
During his time as head coach, he also led the team to two conference championships and seven division titles.
However, he ended his Steelers tenure with a nine-year drought without a postseason victory.
His teams went a cumulative 8-12 in postseason play and his last postseason victory came in 2016 with an 18-16 win over Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2024, Tomlin signed a contract extension that could have kept him with the team through until the end of the 2027 season, including a club option that had a decision date of 1 March, 2026.
The Steelers will now be looking for only their fourth head coach in more than half a century.