“Lack of accountability… Lack of discipline… Too much favoritism…” Stop me if you’ve heard those things the last several years about Pittsburgh Steelers’ Head Coach Mike Tomlin. They were things we heard when Troy Polamalu left and never came back and we’re hearing them again.
This was from this morning.
From 7-2-1 to out of the playoffs. We started breaking things down outside #Steelers HQ early this morning on @gmfb. pic.twitter.com/04Ogp2yFai
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 31, 2018
While the NFL’s coaching carousel has been as busy as a hamster on a new wheel, it will likely not affect Tomlin. I do not anticipate his removal as head coach today but there is no question his seat should not just be warm but hot. This team has had too much talent in recent years to continue under-performing.
The failures of this team cannot be placed solely on Tomlin. Keith Butler has been working with a defense loaded with first and second round selections. They failed to secure leads on numerous occasions but also had moments of solid play. The inconsistency is maddening and should be more evidence that Butler is capable, yet often in over his head. I am calling for his removal as well as that of the entire defensive staff.
I am also calling for the removal of Special Teams Coach Danny Smith as well. The unit lacks discipline and consistency. Holding calls on punt and kickoff returns became the norm rather than the exception and that can’t be tolerated.
Mike Munchak has already been requested by the Denver Broncos to interview for the head coaching job. At this time, I am not calling for any changes to the offensive staff. While Randy Fichtner turned this offense into a Red Zone success there were often too many lapses especially in short yardage situations. These are things that can be improved upon.
The Steelers once gave Bill Cowher an extension after back-to-back losing seasons. Mike Tomlin has yet to have a losing season in his 13 years. Those things to me are apples and oranges. Times are different. The NFL is different. The talent on this team is different. Just as I hate the “Tomlin had Cowher’s players” mantra I also hate the “Tomlin never had a losing season” bit. Good regular season records don’t mean anything to me. The NFL is a results based business and the postseason results are what matter.
What I am suggesting for Tomlin is this; Start being the head coach. Stop being the friend of the players. This doesn’t mean you can’t have good relationships but letting personal feelings get in the way of coaching the team is bad for business. Hold guys accountable and responsible and don’t apologize for it. And for God’s sake hire a quality control coach who can help you manage challenges and in game situations.
Changing coaches with a veteran offense would not be a good idea right now which also factors into my thinking about Tomlin. If there isn’t a return to the postseason next year then my thoughts will likely change. For now however, what needs to change is inside the Steelers’ Organization. That starts at the top.
7 comments
This team doesn’t adapt at all. People call it playing down to the competition. But it’s pounding the same drum week in and out. There’s no change of pace back, you know we are going to cover the guy in front of him. We are so predictable, other teams are like look they have a LBer in the slot and best their best WR and We don’t shift. That’s why even the poor teams have success against us. Even my wife says why do they keep blitzing Hilton. If Tomlin stays there will be no huge changes. Call it The Standard but it has become the same shit over again.
Disgusted by the waste of talent. Coaching is the problem
We definitely need a better coach…we have the horses to pull the cart, but we dont have the cart…Somethings gotta change…it is a waste of talent!!!
Defense wins championships! Butler has to go he is this team weak link. Have him pack his bags today. If Mike won’t do it, then Mr. Rooney needs to do it, before he destroy a great organization,
This is what I find funny is that fans want Butler fired but the guys the fans name are just being named for publicity and nothing else. Fans Rex Ryan and Greg Williams when everybody knows they would cause even bigger headaches than before and you guys know that. Here is what I want to know if you do find a new DC what style do you want the team to run? Is it more blitzing or Heavy Man coverage or do you guys want a Hybrid of some sort? Also answer this say they do higher a new DC but he doesn’t fair any better at what point do the players get blamed and when do the fans take some of the blame as well? All fans do is complain about this coach and that coach but that’s all Steeler fans are good for these days is complain. Never have the fans taken any action nor have the fans done anything to support the head coach. All fans do is say Fire Tomlin and find somebody else. I hear all the time that the next great coach is out there so hire him, really cause once you go down that path of firing Tomlin you can’t undo it. I wish fans would take the time to actually think about what there going to say and then say it. Now from here on out regardless of whether it’s this website or BTSC I’m going to say what I’m going to say and I don’t care if you people like or don’t like what I have to say.
Ive been a Steelers fan since 1969 and have seen alot with the Steelers in them years.as far as the coach goes no he’s not the coach i wish he was and we have the offense.no to me we have a great defensive line maybe just maybe 2 decent linebackers. We need help in the secondary, we just dont have that knock out punch in the secondary. Oh and a decent kicker!
I’m just going to list a few of the things that Tomlin really doesn’t do well. We never change thing up. I remember in preseason the last two years when it was said “oh they playing a vanilla defense” No they weren’t they play the same way every time. There’s not going to be any change of pace RB. They will use one RB the entire game. When have you ever seen Ben catch a defense not ready. I know what month it was Neveruary. They stand around till there’s 5 seconds on the play clock then hurry to snap it. How about knowing how to milk or run out a clock. How about the red flag and how and when to use it. Or how about losing close games with timeouts in your pocket. These are all things that a head coach can and should control. Many people say change is coming, i say if it were we would have known by now. Noll, Cowher and Tomlin all had one thing in common no one saw them coming. And every one knew it was time for a change.