The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that head coach Mike Tomlin’s contract has been extended for three years through the 2016 season. Financial terms of the new five-year deal (with two years remaining on his previous contract) were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to announce that Mike Tomlin will remain with the Steelers for at least five more years,” said Steelers’ President Art Rooney II, according to the team’s press release. “Mike is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League and we are thrilled he will continue to lead our team as we pursue another Super Bowl title.”
Photo Via BenchWarmersUnited.com
Tomlin, 40, will enter his sixth season as the Steelers’ head coach in 2012. He became the youngest head coach in NFL history to both coach in and win a Super Bowl when he led the Steelers to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. By winning the Super Bowl in only his second season as a head coach, Tomlin also became the fastest to lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
“I am excited that I will continue to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for years to come,” said Tomlin. “I am grateful to the Steelers organization for the opportunity I have been given over the past five years to work and live in this great city, and I am excited to continue to work to bring another championship to the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.”
In Tomlin’s five years as head coach, he has guided the Steelers’ defense to the NFL’s top ranking in total defense three times. The emotionally charged, but humbled coach has also sent a total of 36 selections to the league’s annual Pro Bowl, including five following the 2011 season.
Tomlin has reached the playoffs four times in his first five seasons, including two trips to the Super Bowl. Since 1969, the Steelers had only three head coaches, Chuck Noll (1969 to 1992), Bill Cowher (1992 to 2007) and Tomlin, from 2007 to – for awhile longer.
Follow Barry Barnes, Founder of LockerReport.com and NFL Insider for Gridiron Grit on Twitter!
