Bell: Where Does Mike Tomlin Place in NFL Head Coaching Hierarchy? (+)

Earlier this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension that will presumably keep him with the club through 2027. Predictably, that invoked plenty of conversation from the fan base and media alike about whether or not this was a smart decision. On one side, you have the supporters who value his steadiness over such a large sample size. On the other side, you have the unsatisfied bunch that has grown tired of the lack of postseason success. As is the case with most things in life, each side has valid points and with that, it’s worth examining where Pittsburgh’s general falls in the current NFL coaching landscape.

After taking the job in 2007, Tomlin’s won 63% of his regular season games and is now tied for 12th all-time in wins among head coaches in NFL history. Along with his Super Bowl victory in 2008, that resume is one that will likely land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame whenever he decides to hang up his whistle. Teams often adapt to the personality of the coaches and that sense of toughness has been a foundational pieces of Steelers teams during his tenure, particularly on defense where they’ve been second in both EPA/play and success rate during his run in Pittsburgh. Beyond what goes on in between the lines, players and prospects alike have an immense amount of respect for him and the way that he can still reach every generation speaks volumes.