Story Of Mike Tomlin's Tough Love With Steelers' Gunner Olszewski Proves He's Not A 'Players Coach'

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been given just about every criticism and compliment in the world. Fans and analysts are entitled to their outsider opinions, but the players, both on the Steelers and throughout the NFL, tell a consistent tale of a man who is passionate and committed to excellence.

Some have dubbed Tomlin "a players coach," which implies something negative, that the coach is on the player's "level" and is worried about being relatable instead of winning. Players insist that Tomlin is the best combination of all of those things. He is "human" and someone players feel understands them, but he is also committed to winning and taking the team to the Super Bowl. He shows over and over again that football isn't personal, it is about how to get the best results from the men on the roster.   

Steelers Reporter Dejan Kovacevic Shares How Mike Tomlin Keeps Coaching

Former Steelers offensive guard, Ramon Foster, played under Tomlin for his entire NFL career. He now co-hosts a podcast on DK Pittsburgh Sports with reporter Dejan Kovacevic. The show is called The Ramon Foster Show and they discuss all things Steelers from their two different, but unique perspectives. 

On a recent episode, they discussed Tomlin and his coaching style. A fan wrote into the show and said that Tomlin is able to use his "tone" to get players to do what he wants them to by being a "loud barker." Foster says that while Tomlin definitely has a way of saying things, he really isn't a "yeller" nor is he that dreaded "player's coach." 

"I need to clear it up before it's said, he's not a player's coach," said Foster. "But the way Coach Tomlin goes at guys - jesting at them, barking at them loud, demanding a whole lot of them. It could seem like he's cheering you on, no that crap is intimidating as hell."

Kovacevic agrees that Tomlin definitely has a way of working with players. He says he has a funny story to share from this summer. He said that the team was making its way from the inside facility out to the field for OTAs and Kovacevic was walking alongside Tomlin. 

"Gunner Olszewski is 10-15 feet in front of us and he goes, 'Hey, yo, eight-nine, I haven't been paying much attention to you, that doesn't mean I don't need you, okay? I need your a**.' He sees an opportunity to coach and he's not just gonna shoot the breeze, he's looking for opportunities to coach."

Foster is laughing while the story is being told and agrees that Tomlin never wastes time or opportunities. Kovacevic asks Foster for his opinion on it, what does he think is going through Gunner Olszewski's head? Foster said that it is even deeper than that. 

"He probably saw Gunner take a play or two off and because you can be a big part of this team, if you continue to do what you've been doing without me having to coach you every single play. Coach T says a lot of stuff, he'll give you every answer to the test."      

Foster said whenever he gives advice to young players, he tells them they just need to listen to Tomlin. What really matters is how the players embrace his system, because it is never personal with Tomlin. This was his way of reminding Olszewski that he is important to the team. Foster said he can imagine that Olszewski either botched a play or two or that George Pickens was getting all the attention and Tomlin is saying, "Don't make me cut you." 

He gets chills when he tells stories about Tomlin, Foster says. When he was a very young player in the league, he had a similar experience with Tomlin. He has never forgotten how much a simple act of interest meant to him. 

"He caught me going to snack and he was working out, just a friendly exchange, 'Hey big fella, come here, how you think you're doing?' He already knew the answer, but he needed me to know that he knew. I was confident in myself and said, 'I feel like I'm doing alright.' He just said, 'You're right, you are.'"

That was during Foster's rookie year and he said he still felt lost in the system, but regardless, he felt he was having good practices and had likely done enough to make the team. But for Tomlin to stop his workout and make a point of encouraging Foster, letting him know how well he was doing, meant the world to the young lineman. 

What do you think of Tomlin? Do you think he is a "player's coach," or something that is above or beyond that limited description? Click to comment below! 

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