The Cleveland Browns are working furiously to get into the game for John Harbaugh, but the former Baltimore Ravens head coach may now have some competition for the best jobs available.
One day after losing in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs to the Houston Texans, Mike Tomlin informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that he is stepping down from his position as their head coach after 19 years.
“During out meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our Head Coach,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said. “Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin.”
Mike DeFabo and Dianna Russini of The Athletic broke the news, but did not have a clear answer yet on Tomlin’s immediate professional plans.
“It is unclear whether Tomlin, 53, will pursue another head-coaching job,” they wrote on Tuesday, January 13. “Meanwhile, the Steelers will embark on a search for their fourth head coach since 1969.”
John Harbaugh’s Preferences May Change After Mike Tomlin Departs Steelers
GettyFormer Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Tomlin’s availability throws a wrench into the entire coaching cycle, as the Steelers have proven a highly successful franchise over the years, and their head coaching position has been the most stable in the history of the NFL, with just three men holding the position over the last 56 years.
Thus, Harbaugh might be interested in meeting with the Steelers along with the Atlanta Falcons and whichever other franchise he decides to grant interviews. The Browns remain in the running for an interview and have reached out to Harbaugh, though nothing is set in stone.
If Tomlin seeks a job right away, he will immediately shoot to the top (or near the top) of every team’s candidate list, which includes the Browns. Tomlin has never had a losing record in 19 seasons, has earned 13 playoff appearances and won a Super Bowl championship.
Tomlin is also intimately familiar with the AFC North Division, which makes him an even stronger option for Cleveland if he throws his hat in the ring.
Mike Tomlin’s Possible Availability Could Lead Browns to Rethink Mike McDaniel, Vice Versa
GettyFormer Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted on Tuesday that Cleveland would ultimately end up hiring Mike McDaniel, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins who served in that role for four seasons before the team fired him late last week.
However, that was before the news of Tomlin’s departure from Pittsburgh broke. The Browns may now be more interested in Tomlin, if he is an option, while McDaniel could be more interest in the Steelers job if they extend an interview request.
“All of the intel we have on this one says the Browns are looking for an offensive-minded head coach who won’t mind keeping Jim Schwartz as the defensive coordinator,” Graziano wrote. “It’s not tough to imagine the Browns’ front office wanting to tap into McDaniels’ ideas about how to design and run an offense.”
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