The Steelers have only had three head coaches since 1969 and aren't about to let their current one go any time soon.
Mike Tomlin and the club have agreed to an extension through the 2018 season, the team announced Thursday. Tomlin, 43, has been the head coach in Pittsburgh since 2007.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported the new deal will place Tomlin among the three-to-five highest paid coaches in the NFL and also all of sports, meaning more than $7 million per year.
"Mike has proven he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident he will continue to lead the team in our pursuit of another Super Bowl championship," president Art Rooney II said in a statement.
Tomlin added: "I very much appreciate this contract extension, but my sole focus has been and will continue to be meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the 2015 season. These past nine years in Pittsburgh have been a wonderful experience for my family, and I look forward to pursuing what is the Steelers' goal every year -- bringing another Super Bowl championship to the City of Pittsburgh."
Though there was some minor speculation about the Steelers' long-term plans for Tomlin, the facts remain stacked in Tomlin's favor: In eight seasons, the team has never had a losing record, and have made the playoffs five times. Tomlin has won a Super Bowl and coached in a second. He has an 82-46 record in the regular season and a winning record (5-4) in playoff games.
Is there a good argument against him being one of the best 10 coaches in football?
Like quarterbacks, a good head coach is hard to find and almost impossible to replace, especially in today's rapidly changing landscape. Tomlin is just getting started and the Steelers want to make sure he feels at home.
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