Mike Tomlin offered a heartfelt parting message to DeMeco Ryans on Monday night after coaching what would be his final game for the Steelers.
Moments after Houston punched its ticket to the divisional round with a 30-6 road victory over Pittsburgh, Tomlin approached the Texans coach midfield at Acrisure Stadium to congratulate him.
“Great job, brotha, man. All the best, man. Go do it,” Tomlin said in a mic’d up moment captured by “Inside the NFL.”
Hours after that interaction, Tomlin resigned from his position after 19 seasons at the helm.
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
“This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team. I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support. I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful.”
Tomlin ended his run with the Steelers with a regular-season record of 193-114-2. He went 8-12 in the playoffs.
Before kickoff, Tomlin had a cheerful exchange with Ryans, who is making his third playoff appearance in his three seasons with the team.
“We livin, ain’t we, brotha,” Tomlin said as he embraced Ryans. “Much respect to you and your group.”
When Ryans responded, “Same to you, bro. Man, outstanding job,” Tomlin said, “Man, ain’t it cool. Come on, man, we livin. Let’s live tonight. Let’s do right by this game tonight.”
While Ryans’ immediate future is focused on the Texans’ playoff date Sunday versus the Patriots, Tomlin’s next steps are unclear.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Wednesday that Tomlin indicated to team brass “he did not anticipate coaching, at least in the near future.” TV is also a possible path the Super Bowl champion coach can take.
Pittsburgh joins the growing list of teams searching for a new head coach, following the Ravens, Titans, Raiders, Falcons, Browns, Cardinals and Dolphins.
noti.group’s Paul Schwartz reported late Wednesday that all signs are pointing to John Harbaugh becoming the next head coach of the Giants. He was fired last week after 18 seasons in Baltimore.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
