OT: Tomlin Emphatically Declines USC Rumors
This is how you decline a rumor about another coaching job.
Here's the full quote:
I don't have time for that speculation. That's a joke to me. I've got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football. That will be the last time I address it. Not only today, but moving forward. Never say never, but never. Ok? Anybody else got any questions about college jobs? There's not a booster with a big enough blank check.
Thank you.... Anybody asking Sean Payton about that? Anybody asking Andy Reid about stuff like that?
Not a Steelers fan, but I've always been a big fan of Tomlin. From back in the early days with The Program and House, and of course coaching the Steelers, I've been following his career and enjoyed the whole thing.
Great quote by Tomlin. My guess is there won't be a lot of future college lists that include Tomlin's name for a while, if ever.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
Hypothesis #1: They're older folks who jumped on the bandwagon in the glorious '70s and never jumped off.
Hypothesis #2: They're older folks who remember when the steel industry employed many thousands in the U.S. and provided good wages, etc. The good old days. They associate the Steelers with that.
If they're younger folks, I have nothing.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:28 PM ^
This. I hate the Steelers because I loved the Cowboys as a kid.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
If you are going to stand on your porch with a shotgun at least spell 'Pittsburgh' correctly.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
An absolutely true story.
In 1991 I was in charge of sales for a company opening up multiple locations in the Pittsburgh market. We had a ton of marketing collateral printed up and flew in over 15 reps from other cities to conduct a week-long blitz of the territory to let everyone know we had arrived.
Sunday night we had a big kick-off meeting where we got everyone together at a big (and I'm sure quite expensive dinner) to go over who was going to cover what areas and general sales strategies for the week. At that meeting (and mind you there were probably 20 or more people in total there when you added in support personal) we passed out to everyone all the collateral they'd be using for the week. About 15 minutes into the big rah-rah session somebody in back raised their hand and asked.....
"Isn't there an "H" in Pittsburgh?" We had to send everyone home and postpone the launch. Not a good day at all for me, the marketing department and everyone else who proof-read the materials and didnt catch the error. Not good at all.
So it appears the missing H is still missing for me.
October 26th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
You could have just moved the launch to Pittsburg, Kansas or Pittsburg, California.
No worries. We're both old.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
You just described me to a T. I grew up in MI, became a Steelers fan growing up in the 70's. I had never been to Pittsburgh until 2 years ago when I attended my first Steelers game. Went to one again this year.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:57 PM ^
Yep. Our little elementary school posse used to fight over who got to be Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
October 26th, 2021 at 3:53 PM ^
That's very understandable...
I wanted to be this guy...
October 26th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
Grew up in Metro Detroit and have been a Steelers' fan since 1972. Want to like the Lions, but have avoided a ton of heartache by realizing that the Ford family has no clue. Never been to Pittsburgh, but I like a city whose biggest heroes play on defense.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
This is kinda like Dallas Cowboy fans. Lots of them with absolutely no connection to the program or the state of Texas.
Also, I meet lots of Michigan fans with little connection to Michigan beyond maybe having an uncle from Michigan. Nothing wrong with that BTW.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
I take it you've never been to an LA sporting event when they are hosting a Boston-area team. ~50,000 Patriot fans are expected to attend the Charger-Pats game this weekend in LA.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:56 PM ^
There are a bunch of Steeler fans in NW Ohio. Big Ben grew up in Findlay.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
While I don't doubt your observation of Steelers fans in rival cities who adopted the team because they were winning (much like how the Cowboys were "America's Team" in the '80s), the prominence of Steelers fans across the country is also due to Pittsburgh ex-pats. Kids born in Pittsburgh (1) have a 99.9% chance of being Steelers fans (the zeitgeist in Pittsburgh is basically that the fate of the city is tied to the success of the Steelers; I lived there a mere 5 years, left almost 15 years ago, and doubt I'll ever stop being a Steelers fan); and (2) are more likely to relocate than children born in other (non-rust belt) cities.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:17 PM ^
The original Cleveland Brown fandom died when Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore. That act will never be forgiven.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:31 PM ^
If you think Cleveland is the only city like that you should at least meander down to other part of the state and check out Cincinnati. There are about as many Steeler and Browns fans as there are Bengals fans. Other places around the country have similar problems but Cincinnati has that problem bad.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:34 PM ^
It was the exact same growing up in Houston. I was part of a huge contingent of Steelers fans who had no connection whatsoever to Pittsburgh who just grew up rooting for them and attending the annual game in the Astrodome vs. the Oilers.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:53 PM ^
I miss the old Houston Oilers. The powder blue unis, the run-n-shoot with Jack Pardee, and high-art playoff debacles.
Jan '93-Jan '94 Oilers had to be one of the strangest years for any professional franchise. It started with the legendary collapse against Buffalo, blowing a 35-3 lead in a playoff game. Then in the fall they started 1-4 (with the one win being 30-0 over Joe Montana's Chiefs), with threats from the owner to break up the team if they didn't make the Super Bowl. They then won 11 straight to finish 12-4, including a Christmas Day win over the 49ers at Candlestick. But along the way there was "babygate", Jeff Alm's tragic suicide, and DC Buddy Ryan punching OC Kevin Gilbride on the sideline.
They then ended the season by losing in come-from-ahead fashion to those aforementioned Chiefs, and Bud Adams indeed broke up the team (and eventually moved them to Memphis, er, Nashville, setting low-attendance records all along the way).
October 26th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
I miss them too although my Oiler memories go back a bit further. Back in the day when we got the AFL/AFC games on NBC (channel 4) and the NFL/NFC games on CBS (channel 2) when I was a kid in Pontiac. I LOVED the Oilers & the Chargers for reasons unknown (I'm definitely not a front runner) and really loved the games in the Astrodome which seemed like the coolest place in the world to play football. In my minds eye I can see Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell and Bum Phillips and they're playing the Raiders in that dome with Don Criqui on the broadcast.
Sigh......
October 26th, 2021 at 1:07 PM ^
Was this speculation or a leak (USC testing reactions? Tomlin's agent?). Using Tomlin's name seems too random for it to be media speculation. I'm leaning towards leak.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:11 PM ^
It was Tomlin's agent's roundabout way of telling the Rooneys, "get me a non-washed up QB next year or I'm taking my talents to South Beach."
October 26th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
You'd think the intel you get would lead you to recognize that Miami isn't in play here.
/s
October 26th, 2021 at 2:38 PM ^
I'm just saying Flores is done, and if they swing a trade for Watson, and GB doesn't get Rodgers, Ross will get out his booster blank check with the aqua mammal on it.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:57 PM ^
*South Central
October 26th, 2021 at 1:16 PM ^
If you watch the Carson Palmer interview on Dan Patrick (earlier thread), he certainly makes it appear to be a mistake that he said it. Whether or not it's a mistake or a "mistake", I guess is up for debate. I don't know if Carson Palmer is savvy enough to fake leak something with the idea that it becomes a rumor that they hope gets manifested into existence, but I doubt it.
That said, that's where the media speculation is coming from.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
I doubt it. They were thinking the same thing I posted here at the end of last season when I suggested Michigan take a run at Tomlin. Pittsburgh no longer has a serviceable franchise QB. It could be a dark few years for the Steelers if they don't find a new franchise QB. Tomlin already has 2 Super Bowl wins and they don't look like they'll be getting anymore anytime soon. I suspect they were thinking this when they were batting around names.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:39 PM ^
RGard, what in heaven's name happened to your avatar? Is MeanJoe to blame?
October 26th, 2021 at 3:57 PM ^
:-) MeanJoe is a smooth brained marsupial incapable of wiping his own butt. I fear him not.
Adopted the new look when XM was whacked. I know he's back so I may replace this chimp skull with the old one.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
Tomlin on USC job: "one of the best jobs in all of .. sport. I have .. interest in coaching college football ... Never say never"
October 26th, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
Is what USC brass heard over a spotty phone signal.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:46 PM ^
Exactly how Brady ended up in Tampa
October 26th, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
FREEP Headline: Tomlin on USC job "Never Say Never"
October 26th, 2021 at 1:51 PM ^
I love how Sparties are turning on Rainer Sabin today
("you used to be a good reporter!")
October 26th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
From what I've read and seen Tomlin is a well respected dude both in his organization and around the league. Good for him and the Steelers that he feels that way about his job . . . . with that being said, any interest in Deeeetroit Lions?!?!?
October 26th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
I find it hard to believe a reasonably young pro coach, with numerous options if he wanted to leave Pittsburgh, would go to USC where he'd have to deal with all the weird college politics and the constant recruiting for, at best, equal money to what he's making now.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:32 PM ^
Franklin and Tucker should take notes from that on how to deny interest (unless of course they do have interest in leaving)
Franklin kept saying today that they're focused on Illinois lol
October 26th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
It's annoying for fans, but actually kind of smart if they play coy even if they generally are content with their jobs. They can use it as leverage against their current school to get more money for themselves/program. Also, in Tucker's case, helps elevate the program to keep his name out there and I'm sure he can navigate any recruiting ramifications (he seems to get it).
October 26th, 2021 at 3:18 PM ^
I generally agree with this. SOME leverage is not a bad thing.
One thing about Head Coaching --- there aren't many professions where one has to constantly answer questions "are you thinking about moving on to the same job at Company/Team X?" The incessant nature of these questions is definitely a negative as regards a Head Coaching job at a major school.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
"Why would I have any interest coaching College Football?"
Maybe because college football is 10 times the sport the NFL is. He could have just said he was happy in the NFL without disparaging college football. The NFL cult is so weird how they automatically assume that there aren't people who prefer the college game. Very weird.
October 26th, 2021 at 1:50 PM ^
Agreed. The NFL is so bland to me. The year-round hot-takes and blather about it is baffling. But to each their own. Personally I prefer the schematic variety, endless matchups, history, and high-variance outcomes of the college game over corporate football. (Though the latter's influence on the college game is increasingly apparent.)
October 26th, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^
I don't think it's weird. He said it like that so that he won't have to answer the question again. If you're happy doing what your doing, want to continue doing exactly what you're doing, and certainly don't want to offend the family who writes your checks, this is how you answer a question in public when someone asks you if you'd rather be doing something different.
I'm pretty positive college football's "feelings" are the last thing on Tomlin's list of things he gives a shit about. This is a man who has been standing in front of NFL media answering tough questions for 14 years, he's an elite producer, and I doubt he doesn't do or say a single thing that's not intentional. Mike Tomlin won't lose a minute of sleep disparaging college football if it means he'll never have to answer a question about USC again.
We like college football. That's great. He likes his job more, and doesn't care if people like college football.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
From a fan's perspective, yup (I like college way more)
But from a coach's perspective... for about equal money, let me not have to deal with boosters or worry about what dumb things ~100 17-21 year olds are getting into on campus and not having to cater to the whims of 16 and 17 year olds in recruiting. Also, I would guess cillege fan bases are much more unrealistic and unforgiving than NFL fans, but the Lions sapped all my hope a long time ago, so I'm biased.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
Yep- when you're an NFL coach, all you're really dealing with is management and ownership. No recruiting, no having to keep a bunch of boosters with a lofty view of themselves happy. When you're off, you're off. You're not chasing some 16 year old kid and trying to figure out what TikTok is and why kids like it. With the way the Steelers are run, Tomlin would be a nut to leave that for college
October 26th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
The Steelers organization is the epitome of stability....And Tomlin is a guy, I think, that appreciates them for taking a chance on him when they did hire him...He's a loyal guy, so, there's no way he would leave imo.
the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the best organizations in the NFL... USC isn't even the best organization the Pac!2...
Glad he slapped that silly rumor down
October 26th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
The fact that his name was ever even brought up is hilarious. He's an NFL guy through and through.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
It was brought up by Carson Palmer, who supposedly had inside access to the short list.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
"There's not a booster with a big enough blank check."
October 26th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
I think Tomlin is not only a great coach but he would be a phenomenal success at the college level. I do think he is sincere about his satisfaction with his situation in Pittsburgh. Even with the clear need for a new QB things can turn around quickly in the pros. You think the Steelers would be okay next year with Aaron Rogers at QB?
That said I do think back to the time Tomlin was on Harbaugh’s podcast a while ago. He spoke with great affection for Michigan football and the Harbaugh family. I wondered at the time if Harbaugh moved on at his own choice that Tomlin would be the perfect successor.
October 27th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^
I'm curious to see whether Tom Brady gets into coaching after he hangs up his cleats. He's so darn competitive that I can't see him settling for a cushy analyst job. Would be a great recruiter and I think he would be a great coach as well. Would love to see him have a chance to step in a UM when Harbaugh retires.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
I came for the Omar Epps gifs and left disappointed. Well done, JMo... and no one else seems to have noticed. Slick like Q.
October 26th, 2021 at 2:32 PM ^
Did you make the Omar Epps joke that I’ve always seen a resemblance in? Do other people think that?