The Pomp And Joe Show
1PM - Mike Tomlin wants time with family, not likely to coach in near future; Art II says next head coach will have say in personnel like Cowher, Tomlin
14 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What does Mike Tomlin say about his future coaching plans?
All right. Wonder twin without further ado, let's get back to art. All right.
Let's roll along, Joe.
You know, I don't want to put an exact timeframe on it. We'll, you know, we'll get started right away and, uh, you know, it'll take weeks at least I would say, um, you know, nowadays there are a number of, uh, protocols we have to follow that are, are sort of really designed to slow the process down. And so, uh, uh, As I say, it'll probably take at least a few weeks.
You guys haven't done this very often over the years, but you've had it tight. Does young, up-and-coming defensive coordinator still work as a blueprint, or why don't you expand that?
Chapter 2: What qualities is Art Rooney looking for in the next Steelers head coach?
You know, for now, I don't want to sort of put any real parameters around it. We're going to be an open book in terms of who we look for and the list that we build. So, yeah. Could I sign up for another Chuck Knoll or another Bill Cowher or another Mike Tomlin? Sure.
That was good stuff there. To me, it wasn't so much the defensive coordinator part. At least I don't think that got those guys those jobs. I think, again, I'll use that term force of personality. And I know with the Chuck Knoll situation, I talked to Mary Ann Knoll about how
Chapter 3: How will the new head coach influence personnel decisions?
The day after the Baltimore Colts lost that Super Bowl to the Jets, to the Joe Namath Jets, one of the most crushing losses you could ever have. Knoll was the defensive coordinator for Don Shula's Colts. And she told me that the next morning at that hotel in Miami, Chuck Knoll was meeting with Dan Rooney. And who comes and knocks on her door but Don Shula.
And he says to Mary Ann Knoll, listen, if the Roonies offer, because it was Buffalo and Boston, then the Boston Patriots were after Chuck. He said, if the Roonies offer, take that job. They're good people. And what was impressing Dan Rooney in that interview, even as that was happening, was his encyclopedic knowledge already of the Steelers and his Personality, what's a better word for that?
His presence, his presence is what got him the job.
Chapter 4: What historical precedents exist for head coaches and personnel decisions?
Bill Cowher's presence. You could see it the first time he ever took the sidelines for the Steelers. And Tomlin was probably the most dramatic example. They gave the job to Russ Grimm. He had the job. He was ready to go to a news conference. He told at least one reporter in town that he had the job and that everything was set. And they changed their minds at the last second.
because of what Mike Tomlin had done in that interview, which was just blow them away.
Another guy who was in that conversation for that head coaching job was Ken Wisenhunt, too, because he was a good offensive guy.
Chapter 5: What traits are essential for a successful head coach in the Steelers organization?
And then you're right, this charismatic player
person comes over here expresses everything he's intending to do how he's going to do it you could be swayed by that and i think that's in any job interview if you come in with a tremendous first session in front of someone man they're going to remember that and it could influence how they do it so i won't say that it doesn't have to be a defensive guy by the way just because that's what i'm saying it could be anyone as long as you fit you know that kind of uh profile
I'm not sure it wasn't just a coincidence that all three were defensive coordinators. And I realize that defense in many ways has been the calling card. Go back to the Steel Curtain and Blitzburg and some of Tomlin's early defenses. I get it. But, I mean, Dick LeBeau was here. Bud Carson was here. Right? You had other guys.
Chapter 6: How does the current coaching search differ from past searches?
I just think what won the day... and won them the job with all three was, yes, their presence the minute they walked into that room. I don't think Art is sitting there saying we have to get a defensive coordinator guy. It works either way.
You can have Ben Johnson, who cut his teeth and made his name on offense and his call and plays, or it can be Mike McDonald, who might have the best team in football, who's a defensive guy. It doesn't matter. You want offense? Hire Josh McDaniel. Mike Vrabel's a defensive guy. He handed the offense to a great offensive coach in Josh McDaniels.
Chapter 7: What impact does Mike Tomlin's departure have on the team culture?
It's more about are you going to be the CEO of this football team, the general of this football team moving forward, and how do you carry yourself in that interview, I think.
Yeah, it's emerged more as a CEO role over the years. Way back when Chuck's day, that was not really ā what it is today. And these guys now have a lot on their plate. They have to represent the team. They're the ones who go in front of the media every day that they have to talk. So they set whatever standard they have to set.
And whoever is this next guy, and there are so many names on this list, there are even more emerging here, these guys who are in different levels of coaching, whether that be college even. There are some really good young offensive minds in college and defensive minds.
Chapter 8: What are the expectations for the new head coach regarding the upcoming draft?
I get the feeling they're going to try to look at as many different kind of people as they can. And today with Zoom and everything else, you can get this thing moving pretty quickly.
Why not pick as many brains as you can, right? Fan Twitter brought to you by South Hills Kia Peters Township. Visit them at SouthHillsKia.net. The text line.
brought to you by edgar snyder and associates personal injury law firm where they always say there's never a fee unless we get money for you and the fan hotline presented by sullivan super service pittsburgh's trusted plumbing and hvac provider for over 50 years art rooney the second met with media today let's continue on that uh you know somebody that we feel fits that mold would be great but but uh you know for now we're not going to kind of narrow the box too much
Mark, can you say along those same lines are what traits, what characteristics are important to this organization when you are looking for a new head coach?
You know, I think there are a lot of things that go into being a successful head coach. Number one, really, I think in my mind is leadership and really trusting that this person can stand up in front of your team day in and day out and hold their attention and have them motivated to to do what they do. So that's the most important.
Can you explain what's left on Mike's contract and how that will affect things?
I'm not going to get into the contract today. I don't think that's necessary at this point.
A lot of head coaches are looked at being play callers, guys that are more heavily involved in the schematics. I know having that leader of the room is important, but how much is having that intertwined into the decision-making and the search process? to find that next CEO of your coaches?
I mean, look, as I said, there's a lot that goes into it, a lot of qualities that you look for. And obviously somebody that has the experience of doing what we need them to do is going to be key.
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