NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Mike Tomlin’s decision to retire after a crushing loss in the AFC wild-card round pushed the Steelers into an unusual coaching search.
Tomlin did not specify a reason for retiring in a statement issued Tuesday, but thanked owner Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust over nearly two decades.
“As this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization and I will always be grateful for my time as a coach in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin concluded in the statement.
Rooney II and Omar Khan will oversee the coaching search, and Rooney called Tomlin’s decision unexpected but not surprising.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018; New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports)
“It was his decision and I will say I wasn’t surprised, but I wasn’t expecting that conversation yesterday either,” Rooney said. “…I was certainly willing to try again next year with Mike, and that was what I was hoping to talk about yesterday, but it went in another direction.”
2026 NFL GM/COACHES TRACKER: STEELERS REQUEST FIRST HC INTERVIEWS AFTER TOMLIN’S DEPARTURE
Tomlin has two years left on his contract with the Steelers, and any team looking to sign him before 2027 would have to compensate Pittsburgh. Rooney acknowledged the slim prospects for Tomlin coaching later this year and provided additional context about his departure, saying he focused on his personal life.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II watches before a game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
“Mike indicated he didn’t expect to be a coach in the near future,” Rooney said. “I think he wants to spend time with his family and do things that he hasn’t been able to do in the last many years. So if something like that comes up, we’ll address it when it comes up, but it doesn’t seem like something that’s on his radar.”
Rooney said he, Khan and other key decision-makers will take an open-minded approach to the rare coaching search.
“I have been involved in several searches since I was a coach [Bill] Cowher and GM searches,” Rooney said, recalling past coaching search experiences. “I think if I’ve learned anything about searches it’s to keep an open mind. We had Mike for his first interview and we certainly didn’t expect him to be our head coach. “I think you go through the process and you’re diligent and hopefully you find the right person.”
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 12, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
When asked about the qualities he will look for in candidates, Rooney said leadership tops the list.
“I think there’s a lot of things that go into being a successful head coach,” Rooney said. “In my opinion, the number one thing is leadership and trusting that this person can get in front of the team day in and day out and keep their attention and motivate them to do what they do. That’s the most important thing.”
After defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to clinch the AFC North and the final NFL playoff spot, the Steelers scored just six points in Monday’s loss to the Houston Texans.
