Pittsburgh Steelers Give Mike Tomlin A Two-Year Extension
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Steelers disclosed Thursday morning that head coach Mike Tomlin, 43, was given a two-year contract extension. The Hampton, Virginia native will be patrolling the sidelines through the 2018 season.
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“I am pleased to announce we have extended Mike Tomlin’s contract through the 2018 season,” said Steelers’ President Art Rooney II in a statement on the team’s web site. “Mike has proven he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident he will continue to lead the team in our pursuit of another Super Bowl championship.”
The William and Mary University Hall of Famer is beginning his ninth season at the helm of the Black and Gold. Tomlin remains the youngest National Football League head coach to capture the Lombardi Trophy.
“I very much appreciate this contract extension, but my sole focus has been and will continue to be meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the 2015 season,” Tomlin said on the team’s web site. “These past nine years in Pittsburgh have been a wonderful experience for my family, and I look forward to pursuing what is the Steelers’ goal every year – bringing another Super Bowl championship to the City of Pittsburgh.”
Pittsburgh Steelers
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the deal is reported to be worth at least $7 million annually. It would place Tomlin in the top five of coaching salaries.
In his prior eight seasons as head coach, Tomlin has led the Steelers to an 82-46 regular-season record. It is the best start in team history by a Pittsburgh head coach. He has also guided the Black and Gold to four AFC North titles, a total of five playoff appearances and trips to Super Bowls 43 and 45.
The Black and Gold turned to Tomlin in 2007 after Bill Cowher resigned. His NFL experience included serving one season as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and five seasons as the defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Steelers report to training camp Saturday, July 25 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. They will open the preseason on Sunday, Aug. 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Hall of Fame game gets underway at 8 p.m. at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
From The Clipboard: Former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier will perform in his one-man show “The Play with Rocky Bleier” for one night only, Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The show will be at Heinz Hall, and it is written by Gene Collier. A portion of the revenue will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
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