Tomlin Recalls the Challenge of Taking Over the Steelers

Mike Tomlin said taking over the Pittsburgh Steelers at age 34 was a daunting challenge, describing the responsibility in a podcast conversation published October 14 as he reflected on succeeding long-serving coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. Tomlin made the remarks on New Heights, hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce. He said the job felt especially difficult because Pittsburgh was a stable organization after two extended coaching tenures, rather than a struggling team seeking a major change. Tomlin characterized inheriting that continuity as frightening in hindsight and a daunting task for someone in his early to mid-30s. The Steelers hired Tomlin in 2007, after Cowher resigned following 15 seasons. Noll had coached the team from 1969 to 1991, and Cowher from 1992 to 2006. Tomlin remained in the position for 19 seasons and stepped down in January 2026. He is now an analyst for NBC’s football coverage. The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as his successor. In the same podcast discussion, Tomlin criticized the public disclosure of players-only meetings, saying that hearing about such a gathering made it, in his view, “BS.