Fire Mike Tomlin

[whatever]

This is a stupid argument for saying Tomlin was the better hire of the 3. The last time I checked Whiz took the Cardinals to the SB and had us beat if it wasn't for Ben throwing the best pass of his life to Holmes. I think Whiz's taking a team that has never been to the SB in two years is much more impressive than a guy who took a team who was two years removed from a SB.

Plus, we don't know what Whiz or Grimm could have done with the roster Tomlin was handed, the same way we don't know what Tomlin would have done in Arizona. I look at Tomlin as being our version of Barry Switzer or George Seifert. The only thing working in Tomlin's favor is the Rooney's seem to be more forgiving then the Cowboys or 49ers and there is a rule created by our owners that gave us this stiff in the first place.

Exactly. Tomlin is Switzer without the coaching pedigree.

[NorthCoast]

NEVER thought I'd agree with this blow hard, but he is speaking some truth here. The D stinks, and it's not a lack of talent. TOO MANY high draft picks running around out there. They're simply out of position.

We'll see how Artie, Dupree, and Davis do next season with another coach.

[The Man of Steel]

With Ben gone now Tomlin has to finally prove that he can win games without any of Cowher’s players. I don’t think he can do it.

[Mr.wizard]

This is a stupid argument for saying Tomlin was the better hire of the 3. The last time I checked Whiz took the Cardinals to the SB and had us beat if it wasn't for Ben throwing the best pass of his life to Holmes. I think Whiz's taking a team that has never been to the SB in two years is much more impressive than a guy who took a team who was two years removed from a SB.

Plus, we don't know what Whiz or Grimm could have done with the roster Tomlin was handed, the same way we don't know what Tomlin would have done in Arizona. I look at Tomlin as being our version of Barry Switzer or George Seifert. The only thing working in Tomlin's favor is the Rooney's seem to be more forgiving then the Cowboys or 49ers and there is a rule created by our owners that gave us this stiff in the first place.

If Whisenhunt is such a good coach why doesn't he have another head coaching gig, hell if Tomlin was fired he would be a head coach somewhere else in 5 minutes. Mike Tomlin around the national football league is looked at as one of the top coaches in the game and that's by people who actually know football and not a single one is saying Whisenhunt would have been a better coach.

[Northern_Blitz]

This is a stupid argument for saying Tomlin was the better hire of the 3. The last time I checked Whiz took the Cardinals to the SB and had us beat if it wasn't for Ben throwing the best pass of his life to Holmes. I think Whiz's taking a team that has never been to the SB in two years is much more impressive than a guy who took a team who was two years removed from a SB.

Plus, we don't know what Whiz or Grimm could have done with the roster Tomlin was handed, the same way we don't know what Tomlin would have done in Arizona. I look at Tomlin as being our version of Barry Switzer or George Seifert. The only thing working in Tomlin's favor is the Rooney's seem to be more forgiving then the Cowboys or 49ers and there is a rule created by our owners that gave us this stiff in the first place.

At the very least, we know
1) No one was interested in Grimm for anything other than a position coach; and
2) Whiz was a terrible coach when he didn't have a HoF QB.

Maybe Tomlin will also be terrible without a HoF QB, but that's still unknown. It's a guarantee with Whiz.

One game samples aren't that useful, but we did win the SB with Tomlin and Whiz lost with his HoF QB.

[Obviously]

If Whisenhunt is such a good coach why doesn't he have another head coaching gig, hell if Tomlin was fired he would be a head coach somewhere else in 5 minutes. Mike Tomlin around the national football league is looked at as one of the top coaches in the game and that's by people who actually know football and not a single one is saying Whisenhunt would have been a better coach.

Sure he'll get hired in 5 minutes because he has everyone fooled including the Rooney's. But I would venture to guess he would be fired in 3 year max. He's worthless and once away from the Steelers it will be very apparent. My guess is out of football in 3 years after the Steelers.

[Obviously]

At the very least, we know
1) No one was interested in Grimm for anything other than a position coach; and
2) Whiz was a terrible coach when he didn't have a HoF QB.

Maybe Tomlin will also be terrible without a HoF QB, but that's still unknown. It's a guarantee with Whiz.

One game samples aren't that useful, but we did win the SB with Tomlin and Whiz lost with his HoF QB.

I wasn't interest in Grimm or Whisenhunt either. But I don't think anyone is foolish to believe that all the Steelers had to choose from was Grimm, Whisenhunt, Tomlin and Riviera. With our history and patience when it comes to coaching (2 in 30+ plus years) the door should have been knocked down with applicants. This wasn't anything more than a 'Rooney Rule" hire. We went fishing for a minority plain and simple.

[Northern_Blitz]

I wasn't interest in Grimm or Whisenhunt either. But I don't think anyone is foolish to believe that all the Steelers had to choose from was Grimm, Whisenhunt, Tomlin and Riviera. With our history and patience when it comes to coaching (2 in 30+ plus years) the door should have been knocked down with applicants. This wasn't anything more than a 'Rooney Rule" hire. We went fishing for a minority plain and simple.

The finalists for the position were Tomlin, Grimm, and Wisenhunt.

It was widely speculated that Grimm was the favorite IIRC.

The Steelers have been good at selecting coaches and those were the people they felt were their best three options. Who you were interested in doesn't matter.

Sorry that it doesn't fit the theory re: race and the Rooney rule.

[Captain Lemming]

I wasn't interest in Grimm or Whisenhunt either. But I don't think anyone is foolish to believe that all the Steelers had to choose from was Grimm, Whisenhunt, Tomlin and Riviera. With our history and patience when it comes to coaching (2 in 30+ plus years) the door should have been knocked down with applicants. This wasn't anything more than a 'Rooney Rule" hire. We went fishing for a minority plain and simple.

What are you talking about? It is public knowledge who wanted the job.
Was there some "cant miss prospect" who wanted the job?

Who SPECIFICALLY should have been hired?

Why was he hired?
We can all tease about "captain cliche'" today, but you gotta admit Tomlin's delivery would make an impressive interview as a first impression.
Whether you like the job he has done or not it is EASY to see why he got the job.

[Mr.wizard]

Sure he'll get hired in 5 minutes because he has everyone fooled including the Rooney's. But I would venture to guess he would be fired in 3 year max. He's worthless and once away from the Steelers it will be very apparent. My guess is out of football in 3 years after the Steelers.

Yes everyone is fooled except you, I'm sure teams will be beating down your door when it comes to their next coaching hire.

[Terrapin]

The finalists for the position were Tomlin, Grimm, and Wisenhunt.

It was widely speculated that Grimm was the favorite IIRC.

The Steelers have been good at selecting coaches and those were the people they felt were their best three options. Who you were interested in doesn't matter.

Sorry that it doesn't fit the theory re: race and the Rooney rule.

Honest question. Tomlin was a DB coach, and a DC for a year. Seriously, do you think, if he were white, he would have been the hire?

Personally I think he probably turned out to be the best of those 3, but we'll never know. What we do know is for the last 9 years he's won 3 playoff games, has had a HOF QB, an offense littered with future HOFers, and has done nothing with it in the playoffs. Throw in his poor game management, players literally quitting, playoff disasters, etc. Can you honestly say Grimm or Whis would have lasted this long with that resume?

[BURGH86STEEL]

Honest question. Tomlin was a DB coach, and a DC for a year. Seriously, do you think, if he were white, he would have been the hire?

Personally I think he probably turned out to be the best of those 3, but we'll never know. What we do know is for the last 9 years he's won 3 playoff games, has had a HOF QB, an offense littered with future HOFers, and has done nothing with it in the playoffs. Throw in his poor game management, players literally quitting, playoff disasters, etc. Can you honestly say Grimm or Whis would have lasted this long with that resume?

It's not simply about playoff wins. It's about being competitive and making the playoffs and having the chance to compete for the Superbowl. 8 out of 12 seasons the Steelers had the opportunity to compete for the Superbowl. A team that fired a coach that helped a team achieve record would be making a mistake.

So many people are looking for perfection out of a HC. Good luck with that. The next guy that comes to coach the Steelers will make plenty of mistakes. That coach will also stick to what generally made him a successful coach.

[Captain Lemming]

Honest question. Tomlin was a DB coach, and a DC for a year. Seriously, do you think, if he were white, he would have been the hire?

Was Mike Munchak who TO THIS DAY has never been a COORDINATOR hired as a head coach because he is black?
If Tomlin was hit by a bus........Grimm WHO NEVER WAS A COORDINATOR and an inferior position coach, would have gotten the job.

BTW there is the frequent assertion that in the eyes of many Tomlin cant be criticized without others calling them racist. This is not true.
There are legit reasons to criticize Tomlin.

But when people imply that THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY he could EVER be hired is because of his race?

If Tomlin was a young white DC and got the job over an offensive line coach (Whiz went to AZ before we picked a coach) do you think ANYBODY would be shocked just based on his resume' which included possibly the finest job by a secondary position coach in NFL HISTORY? They led the league in pass defense BY A HUGE margin, in picks (30), AND had a historic post season secondary performance.

Tomlin had no "Deon", neither "Woodson", no Blount. He had already 4 year veteran, slow (4.6 40) Rhonde Barber went from an unknown average corner to not just all pro but "all decade" after Tomlin. They DID have Kiffen a brilliant tactician who NEVER had such success before Tomlin coached his guys.

Add to that he likely KILLED in the interview with what we now mock as his mastery of "coachspeak".

You can question his accomplishments- Cool.

But you really telling me there was no "football" basis whatsoever for hiring Tomlin?

[Terrapin]

Was Mike Munchak who TO THIS DAY has never been a COORDINATOR hired as a head coach because he is black?
If Tomlin was hit by a bus........Grimm WHO NEVER WAS A COORDINATOR and an inferior position coach, would have gotten the job.

BTW there is the frequent assertion that in the eyes of many Tomlin cant be criticized without others calling them racist. This is not true.
There are legit reasons to criticize Tomlin.

But when people imply that THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY he could EVER be hired is because of his race?

If Tomlin was a young white DC and got the job over an offensive line coach (Whiz went to AZ before we picked a coach) do you think ANYBODY would be shocked just based on his resume' which included possibly the finest job by a secondary position coach in NFL HISTORY? They led the league in pass defense BY A HUGE margin, in picks (30), AND had a historic post season secondary performance.

Tomlin had no "Deon", neither "Woodson", no Blount. He had already 4 year veteran, slow (4.6 40) Rhonde Barber went from an unknown average corner to not just all pro but "all decade" after Tomlin. They DID have Kiffen a brilliant tactician who NEVER had such success before Tomlin coached his guys.

Add to that he likely KILLED in the interview with what we now mock as his mastery of "coachspeak".

You can question his accomplishments- Cool.

But you really telling me there was no "football" basis whatsoever for hiring Tomlin?

Yes, I think most people would be shocked at hiring someone with that resume. People were surprised with the Cowher hire.

Both Cowher and Tomlin were defensive coaches. The difference is, Cowher usually always had strong defenses (Blitzburg). Tomlin, the man who you say presided over the greatest secondary in history, has failed miserably with that here.

Point is, if you hire a defensive coach, you expect a good defense. Vice versa for an offensive-minded coach. Tomlin did have a good D his first few years (with Cowhers players, Lebeau, etc), but has sucked since. He was also given a HOF QB in the prime of his career.

As far as the interview, I have no doubt he spouted the same **** that he does every week in his press conferences.

As I said, I don't think it was necessarily a mistake to hire him. I think it's been a huge mistake not to fire him (and the entire staff) after Jacksonville (possibly even Denver)

[RuthlessBurgher]

Honest question. Tomlin was a DB coach, and a DC for a year. Seriously, do you think, if he were white, he would have been the hire?

Young offensive coaches with limited experience as an NFL position coach and coordinator seem to be popular now (think Sean McVay, Zac Taylor, etc.). Those guys happen to be white. Tomlin wasn't hired because he was black. McVay wasn't hired because he was white. Taylor wasn't hired because he was white. I'd guess their collective youth played a much bigger factor in their hires than their respective skin colors...and younger dudes obviously will tend have shorter coaching resumes than older dudes just based on the concept of their overall time spent on the planet up to that point.