The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fortunate to have Head Coach Mike Tomlin leading their team for almost two decades now. Tomlin was extended in the 2024 offseason, ensuring he’ll remain at the helm through the 2027 season. While some Steelers fans have voiced frustration over Tomlin's lack of recent postseason success, many around the league consider him one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in NFL history, valuing his stability, leadership, and consistently competitive teams.
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Former Steelers Coach Brian Flores during practice with the team.
Brian Flores, who served under Tomlin as part of the Steelers' coaching staff in 2022, is well-acquainted with his style and approach. Flores brings a unique perspective, having also spent over a decade with another legendary Head Coach, Bill Belichick, on the New England Patriots' staff from 2008 to 2018. His experience working with both Tomlin and Belichick has given him rare insight into two of the NFL’s most successful coaching minds, each known for their distinct philosophies and long-lasting impact on the league.
During a recent interview on Adam Schefter's podcast, Flores reflected on his time working alongside Tomlin and Belichick. When asked by Schefter to compare the two coaching giants, Flores shared stories of their commitment to detail, leadership styles, and how each built a winning culture.
"Bill's the GOAT," Flores said. "Mike T is kind of like the next generation GOAT. I've told Mike T this. They're very similar in that a lot of core coaching points and philosophies are the same. The delivery is just obviously very different from both guys."
At first glance, the styles of Tomlin and Belichick appear quite different. Yet, when you look deeper, there are striking similarities—they just deliver their messages in ways that reflect their unique personalities.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick shake hands with one another after a professional football game.
Flores expanded on this, explaining how, beneath the surface, both coaches share a remarkably similar approach to leadership and the game.
"Bill will say, 'You can't win until you keep from losing.' And Mike will say, 'If you wanna be a kick-a** team, don't kick your own a**.' It's the same thing, but just two different deliveries," Flores said.
Now a highly successful defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, Flores acknowledged that Tomlin's well-known “Tomlinisms” have had a strong influence on his own coaching style. These famous sayings, full of wisdom and motivation, have shaped how Flores connects with and leads his players.
"I think I'm pretty good in front of a room," Flores said. "And then when I sat in his meetings, I'm sitting there writing, writing, writing. He's got line after line after line. I've sampled some of those. I won't say I steal 'em, but l've sampled some of his since I left. He just does a phenomenal job really across the board with every player, building relationships while holding them accountable at the same time."
Each season, when the Steelers drop a few games they were expected to win, criticism of Tomlin quickly surfaces. Many fans question whether he's lost control of the locker room or lacks accountability with his players. But these critiques often miss the mark.
Tomlin has consistently demonstrated elite leadership and coaching skills—a fact supported by the success of his former staff members like Flores, who speak to the lasting impact of Tomlin’s influence.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Must Win A Playoff Game In The 2024 Season
Tomlin’s record speaks for itself; he has never had a losing season, and 2024 shows no signs of breaking that streak. While there’s no doubt that more postseason success is necessary—something Tomlin himself would admit—the fact remains that he consistently finds ways to lead the Steelers to victory, regardless of the challenges or the quarterback under center. His ability to keep the team competitive year after year is a testament to his coaching acumen.
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Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin looks in the distance as his players practice during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Still, some fans remain unconvinced by Tomlin’s regular-season accomplishments, growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of postseason breakthroughs. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and for many, the only way forward is through a deep playoff run. The pressure is on for Tomlin to end that drought, as the fanbase is eager to see him lead the team to meaningful success in the postseason.
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