Tiptoeing is not Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s style when it comes to his name being linked to college football coaching jobs.
The rumor mill was stirred to a frenzy by former Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer on Monday, when Palmer told “The Dan Patrick Show” that Tomlin was among the favorites to become head coach of the Trojans.
“Guys, I don’t have time for that speculation. That’s a joke to me,” Tomlin said in a stern and flabbergasted tone. “I’ve got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? That will be the last time I address it. And not only today, but moving forward. Never say never, but never. OK? Anybody else got any questions about any college jobs? There’s not a booster with a big enough blank check.”
Hired as a 34-year-old in 2007, Tomlin is in his 15th season as Pittsburgh’s head coach and has never had a losing season. The Steelers have been to the playoffs nine times and won the AFC North division seven times.
Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension in April and is tied to the Steelers until 2024.
He is the third-longest-tenured head coach in the NFL behind Bill Belichick of the Patriots (2000) and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who was hired in 2006.
“Anybody asking Sean Payton about that? You know? Anybody asking Andy Reid about stuff like that?” Tomlin asked rhetorically with a clenched jaw, before sliding his stool back from the dais and exiting his Tuesday media session.
The Steelers have been to the Super Bowl twice under Tomlin, winning XLIII in his second season.
Palmer, who started his career with the rival Cincinnati Bengals, also mentioned Penn State’s James Franklin, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell in addition to Tomlin.
–Field Level Media
