What Makes Mike Tomlin So Beloved by Players and Fans Alike?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are unrivaled in their consistency. Zoom out and one will find three coaches over the last five decades, zoom in and one sees that head coach Mike Tomlin has now gone 18 seasons without nine regular-season losses. Tomlin has taken the mantle of elite Steelers coaches and admirably carried the torch. Pittsburgh has remained competitive because of him and is in better position to win a playoff game than any year since quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired. For all of his strategic and cultural victories, football is a game of relationships, and Tomlin’s personality sets him apart.

Running back Najee Harris – another personable piece of the Steelers’ core – spoke on Thursday about what makes Tomlin so special. “He’s a player’s coach,” Harris said, via Aaron Becker. “He’s gonna come into the locker room. Chop it up with us. Chill with us … talk about stuff besides football, just talk about life stuff. That makes you feel a little more comfort in this business that we’re in that’s so cutthroat. Not too many people, especially in that position as head coach, would show that side – it’s always football, football, football. But him, he’s shown that different side, that you can have fun in this sport while being serious, too. And I think that’s why people want to play for him.”

Tomlin has done an admirable job managing volatile personalities and fostering growth from pieces others have cast aside. Just look at the quarterback position, where Pittsburgh bought low on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Both have bounced back and are all in on helping the Steelers win, even if in unconventional roles.

Pittsburgh has dealt with plenty of adversity, too. Virtually the entire offensive line has been hurt, they didn’t land a big fish at receiver, and a tough second-half schedule added pressure to the early-season marathon. Harris feels Tomlin’s demeanor through the good and bad play into his prowess.

“People get cut, traded, all that,” Harris continued. “Nobody ever says anything bad about Mike T. and that just shows who he is. He’s very transparent, too. That’s one thing that I like. He’s not gonna sugarcoat nothing, he’s gonna be for real and be straight up with you. And I think that’s what you need in this sport.” As things stand, the Steelers enter Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns at 9-3 with a two-game lead in the loss column for the AFC North crown. As Diontae Johnson causes tensions to flare with the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals waste serious star power, the 2024 campaign serves as further proof of Tomlin’s value. Harris is well aware it’s a privilege to serve under such an esteemed coach. “Talking to other guys, it’s not like that in other places.”