Two Pittsburgh Steelers legends have joined the refrain of voices calling for the franchise to maneuver on from Mike Tomlin, with Ben Roethlisberger even suggesting that the longtime coach is an efficient match for the vacant Penn State job.
Roethlisberger and former teammate James Harrison each weighed in on Tomlin’s future amid the rising hypothesis that the struggling Steelers will cut up with the NFL’s longest-tenured coach after this season.
“Perhaps it is a clean-house time. Perhaps it is time,” Roethlisberger mentioned Tuesday on his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. “I like Coach Tomlin. I’ve a variety of respect for Coach Tomlin, however possibly it is best for him, too.
“Perhaps a recent begin for him is what’s greatest. Whether or not that is within the professionals, possibly go be Penn State’s head coach. You already know what he would do in Penn State? He would most likely go win nationwide championships, as a result of he is an excellent recruiter.”
Penn State simply concluded a disappointing 6-6 season and continues to be in search of a alternative for head coach James Franklin, who was fired in October. The Nittany Lions’ most up-to-date goal, Kalani Sitake, introduced Tuesday that he’ll keep at BYU, prolonging Penn State’s teaching search.
The Steelers (6-6) even have struggled after successful 4 of their first 5 video games this season, and frustration began to boil over throughout Sunday’s house loss to the Buffalo Payments, when followers booed and chanted “Fireplace Tomlin!”
Harrison, who performed underneath Tomlin for components of 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, mentioned Monday that “one thing needs to be executed” and added that he does not take into account Tomlin a “nice coach.”
“I’ve by no means been an individual that thought Coach Tomlin was an excellent coach,” Harrison mentioned on his “Deebo and Joe” podcast. “I assumed he was an excellent [coach]. … coach will get you to play to your potential. And proper now, the gamers now we have on that group I’ve seen play, they don’t seem to be enjoying as much as their potential. An awesome coach will get you to play to your potential.”
Harrison loved his greatest NFL seasons underneath Tomlin, incomes 5 consecutive Professional Bowl appearances from 2007 to 2011 and being named the league’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months in 2008. The 2-time All-Professional linebacker famous that though the Steelers traditionally do not change coaches, a change is required in Pittsburgh.
“One thing needs to be executed, and I do know the Steelers traditionally do not transfer on from coaches,” he mentioned. “However I feel it is time that historical past be made.”
Roethlisberger confused that the Steelers mustn’t fireplace Tomlin, suggesting that the perimeters attain an “settlement” to finish his time in Pittsburgh.
“Here is what you do not do: You do not fireplace a man like Coach Tomlin,” the previous star quarterback mentioned. “He is a Corridor of Fame head coach, he is revered. What you do is you come to an understanding and settlement, and it is like, ‘Hey, pay attention, I feel it is most likely greatest for each of us.’
“You go, ‘Hey, Coach, pay attention, it is most likely greatest for all events concerned, let’s begin over.’ It occurred with Chuck Noll, it occurred with Coach Cowher.”
Tomlin, 53, has 189 regular-season wins — the eleventh most in NFL historical past — throughout his 19 years with Pittsburgh, and his .625 profession successful share is the perfect in franchise historical past. However the Steelers haven’t gained the AFC North since 2020 and haven’t gained a playoff sport since January 2017.
“Coach Tomlin’s been right here a very long time,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “You’d give him a statue, no matter you have to do, as a result of he deserves it, he is earned it. However it is time to discover that subsequent man. Who’s that subsequent man that might be right here for the subsequent 20 years?”