Steelers' Mike Tomlin Named Midseason Coach Of The Year For The First Ever Time In His Career

The Pittsburgh Steelers have remarkably never had a losing season under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Despite his respected legacy and consistent success, some Pittsburgh fans have grown impatient with the lack of postseason victories, as Tomlin hasn’t led the team to a playoff win since the 2016 season. While national media often celebrates Tomlin’s achievements, the expectation in Pittsburgh goes beyond a strong regular season. The pressure is mounting, and both Tomlin and the Steelers organization are well aware that their postseason performance must improve.

So far, the 2024 season has given fans hope, as the Steelers sit at a promising 6-2, displaying the kind of dominant play that Pittsburgh hasn't seen in years. The team’s success has reignited excitement in the fanbase, and the pressure to deliver in the postseason now feels more realistic than ever. Many are optimistic that this squad has the potential to not only make the playoffs but to go deep, showcasing an aggressive and focused Steelers team that has been missing in recent years.

ESPN Staff Writer Bill Barnwell recently underscored Tomlin’s impact, naming him his Midseason Coach of the Year. Barnwell pointed out that Tomlin certainly deserves this midseason award.

"On the other hand, it's difficult to poke holes in what Tomlin has done," Barnwell said. "His defense ranks second in points allowed and fifth in EPA per play… While Tomlin isn't as hands-on with the offense, he has gotten the big decisions right. The Steelers have become a more efficient rushing attack after hiring coordinator Arthur Smith, even as injuries have prevented them from rolling out their desired starting five up front for most of the season."

Barnwell wanted to ensure that Tomlin received full credit for his coaching masterclass throughout the 2024 season. 

In the past, he hadn’t entirely bought into a Tomlin-led team—and for understandable reasons. However, the Steelers’ remarkable improvements in 2024 have shifted his perspective, convincing him that Tomlin’s leadership has reached a new level.

"I've been skeptical of the Steelers over the past few years because their underlying performance hasn't matched their win-loss record, and history tells us that a team outperforming its point differential and record in close games eventually catches up with it," Barnwell said. "Well, Pittsburgh has responded to that by simply improving its performance."

The Steelers are always a tough matchup, with Tomlin embracing a gritty style of play that tends to pay off in the regular season—though it has often faltered in the playoffs. This season, however, Barnwell believes things may be different. That belief led him to name Tomlin his Midseason Coach of the Year.

"The Steelers are a nightmare to play and have made teams beat themselves," Barnwell said. "It seems like the head coach, who has somehow never won this award, might have something to do with that."

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Could Finally Win COTY In 2024

Despite his Super Bowl win and extensive regular season success, Tomlin has yet to capture the Coach of the Year Award. This year, however, he’s gaining significant traction in the betting markets as a contender for the honor. While winning the award would be a tremendous acknowledgment, Tomlin’s sights are undoubtedly set on a loftier goal—getting his team back into the Super Bowl conversation.

Tomlin faced difficult quarterback decisions in the 2024 offseason and throughout the regular season. When Justin Fields stepped in for an injured Russell Wilson, he performed well. Yet, in a bold move, Tomlin decided to reinstate a healthy Wilson, a choice that initially faced criticism but has since proven effective. Steeler Nation is hopeful that Tomlin’s decisions this season will finally lead to an end to their playoff drought and a deep postseason run.

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