Total Pro Sports
After nearly two decades in charge of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin is officially done coaching.
It’s been nine years since the Steelers’ last playoff win. And, while not having a losing season in 19 years is an impressive accomplishment, it was probably time to move on. Now, whoever takes the reins of the team will inherit a talented defense and plenty of question marks on offense, including the quarterback.
That being said, this should still be an appealing head coaching opening, and we’ll take a look at the three most likely candidates to replace Mike Tomlin.
With the Steelers’ head coaching job up for grabs, three familiar names immediately come to mind.
This one’s probably a long shot, but still worth mentioning. Multiple teams will probably engage in a massive bidding war to get John Harbaugh. Then again, he’s more than familiar with the AFC North. Considering that, having a chance to get back at his former team twice a year should be quite appealing.
Poaching Harbaugh’s coaching staff might also be a positive thing for the Steelers. Todd Monken can spark some life into this offense, and Harbaugh also knows how to win games he was supposed to lose, just like Mike Tomlin. He appreciates consistency and patience, two things the Steelers’ ownership can certainly give him.
Arthur Smith should probably be the first candidate for the Steelers right now. Granted, his previous head coaching experience didn’t necessarily go well. Still, he has the pedigree, the résumé, and the familiarity with the roster and the organization.
Also, not having Tomlin’s over-conservative game plan to abide by might be just what Arthur Smith needs to show why he was deemed an offensive guru years ago. The quarterback situation is a concern, but he made Ryan Tannehill look like a starting-caliber signal caller in Tennessee.
Brian Flores had a brief stint as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh. He’s probably the most overqualified defensive coordinator in all of football right now. As such, it’s about time he gets another shot at running his own team, even with his pending litigation with the league.
Flores would lead this team back to its old ways. He’d get them ready to dominate in the trenches, and his exotic blitz packages could get this team back to the Steel Curtain days. Also, only the Baltimore Ravens have called him about a head coaching position. That leaves the door wide open for the Steelers to steal him.
