Guide Note

Mike Tomlin is the NFL Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and former Defensive Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings. Tomlin played wide receiver for the College of William and Mary and upon graduation tok a job as the receivers coach for the Virginia Military Institute. In 1996 he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Memphis helping out with the defensive backs and special teams. he was then hired by Arkansas State University to coach the defensive backs and then on to the same position at the University of Cincinnati. In 2001 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took notice of Tomlin and hired him as their defensive backs coach. He served 4 years with them until the Minnesota Vikings offered Tomlin the job of defensive coordinator. After an impressive first year at the help of the Vikings' defensive unit, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired him to replace the recently departed Bill Cowher. In his first year as head coach he led the Steelers to a 10-6 record and a first round loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fast Facts

1. Born March 15, 1972 in Newport News, Virginia
2. Named Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan 22, 2007
3. The 10th African-American Head Coach in NFL History
4. The same age as Bill Cowher was when hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Career Record: 10-6