The NFL has had its fair share of great head coaches. Bill Belichick, John Madden, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula to name a few. That said I would like to shed more light on one man who doesn’t get enough credit, this is the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has been with the organization since 2007 and is one of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. He has been a foundation of stability for the Steelers organization.
Tomlin has never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, a streak running 15 years long, the oldest currently in the league. He does this by being a coach that practices traditional leadership, while also incorporating servant leadership in his tactics. He is a demanding voice in the organization and locker room, but he does so all while listening to the needs of his players and adapting to the multiple personalities that play for him. There have been many great players that have played for Mike Tomlin, and all of them have good things to say about the man. In interviews with his former players they have consistently mentioned how he treated them with respect, and patience, something not all NFL coaches have done. He tries to understand each player as a human being and not merely as a pawn he can use in a physical game like football. Players that have played for him have even mentioned he is like a father figure to them as he provides solid advice on and off the field.
Mike Tomlin is slowly being recognized as one of the best and has made a lasting impact on many lives. When he was first hired, Steelers fans were up in arms, but now he is one of the most beloved coaches not only in the fanbase but throughout the league. He is an exemplary role model and leader, he has won a Super Bowl, Coach of the Year and has a career record of 162-92-2. Today we are very proud to honor Coach Mike Tomlin, an individual who has been able to cultivate a perfect blend of traditional and servant leadership styles to create an inclusive culture of growth and success.