Mike Tomlin Addresses Speculation He Could Leave Steelers

Pittsburgh PA

26 October, 2021

1:09 PM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday angrily addressed increasing discussion he might be interested in leaving the team for a high-profile college coaching job at the University of Southern California. "That's a joke to me," Tomlin said at his Tuesday news conference. "I have one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football?" Growing increasingly irate, Tomlin said, "Never say never - but never. There's not a booster with a big enough blank check." Tomlin stood up and left after that, asking reporters as he departed: "Anyone asking (New Orleans coach) Sean Payton about that? Anyone asking (Kansas City Chiefs coach) Andy Reid about stuff like that." There had been speculation Tomlin, who has coached the Steelers since 2007, might be intestesed in leaving the Steelers. The talk is tied to the increasing likelihood that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will retire after this season and that Tomlin might be looking for a change as he won't have a future Hall of Fame quarterback under center in 2022. Former USC and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, appearing on Dan Patrick's syndicated radio show on Monday, identified Tomlin as a potential USC target as it searches for its next coach. "You've got (the coaches at) Penn State, you've got Iowa State, you've got a wild card like a Mike Tomlin, if Mike Tomlin wants out," Palmer said. "That's pretty spicy with Tomlin, there," Patrick said. "I like it." "Is that the first you've heard of that?" Palmer asked. "Uh oh." Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.