Mike Tomlin To Unleash Hell For Three More Years
By chris
The Post-Gazette is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers have given a three year contract extension to head coach Mike Tomlin. This new contract will keep him on the sidelines of Heinz Field through 2014. He’s currently making $2.5 million under the terms of his current contract and it’s expected his new deal will double his salary.
I’ve been vocal about my feelings that Tomlin’s immediate success is largely owed to inheriting Bill Cowher‘s championship caliber team. That said, there have been a number of coaches in the recent past who were handed Filet Mignon and preceded to turn it into chuck roast. The bottom line is he got the job done. Despite his epic bungling last season as the defending Super Bowl winners experienced one of the most embarrassing seasons in their history, Tomlin deserves a chance to redeem himself.
By the time the final two years on his sparkling new extension kick in, the majority of Cowher’s players will likely be gone. Tomlin and Director of Player Personnel Kevin Colbert (who is also expected to receive an extension soon) will get their chance to mold the team in their own image as we move into the middle part of the decade. While Steeler Nation has been spoiled by the almost uninterrupted brilliance of Cowher’s 15 year reign, it only makes sense to give the current regime a chance to show what they can do. They’ve earned a long leash.
Let’s just hope they don’t end up hanging themselves with it.