Steelers make NFL history with today's win

[awboatguy]

Interesting story about Tomlin's win record. This is sure to piss off the MT haters. I still think he looks lost in games and is a terrible game day coach, but can't argue with his record I suppose....

Either way, enjoy!

2015-12-13 4:12 PM | Teresa Varley

Since 1969 the Steelers have had only three head coaches, and thanks to the incredible coaching of those men the Steelers made history today.

With the victory over the Bengals, Coach Mike Tomlin now has 90 career wins. He joins Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher as the third coach in Steelers history to reach 90 regular season wins, and the Steelers are the first franchise in NFL history to have three different head coaches reach that 90 win milestone.

"We certainly have been fortunate to have three men like Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "The fact that each of them had that kind of success is great to see, it's something we strive for. Stability is something that provides a foundation for everything you do.

"I think our whole organization is geared to support the coach, support the football operation in a way that allows it to be successful."

Noll, who coached from 1969-1991, tallied 193 career regular season wins, while Cowher had 149 wins, coaching from 1992-2006. Tomlin, who took over in 2007, has kept the winning tradition alive.

All three coaches also led their teams to Super Bowl victories - Noll (Super Bowl IX, X, XIII, XIV), Cowher (Super Bowl XL), and Tomlin (Super Bowl XLIII).

"We have been fortunate to have three great men like that leading the team," said Rooney. "That is where it starts. It's a tribute not just to them, but I am sure they would also point to the fact that they had a lot of great people around them to help achieve that success."

Additional Note: Mike Tomlin became the first head coach in Steelers history to win 90 games in his first nine years. Tomlin also is the ninth head coach in NFL history to win 90 games in his first nine years as head coach, joining Mike Ditka, Joe Gibbs, Dennis Green, Mike Holmgren, John Madden, Mike McCarthy, George Seifert and Don Shula. Tomlin is also the third head coach in NFL history to win eight games in each of his first nine years with the same team (Green with Minnesota and Madden with Oakland).

 

[stillwright]

I'm not a Tomlin supporter by any means but the "Tomlin looks lost" statement kills me.

 

[Zack_of_Steel]

Ben. Roethlisberger.

 

[Steelz]

Way to go Tomlin. And for the people that for whatever reason thinks one player gets them wins.. Try taking a look around the league and see how many pro-bowl caliber QBs aren't winning games. The stupidity of that assumption always kills me. Its a team game. You don't win in this league unless you put together a good team. And that's exactly what Tomlin has done.

 

[steelcan58]

I will give Tomlin and the organization credit for recognizing that they had a great young player in Big Ben and building one of the great all time offences around him. However doing this they have allowed one of the all time great defences to decay.

Also the speed in which Tomlin reached 90.wins is more a testament to his predecessor than him. Tomlin inherited a far superior team than either Noll or Cowher. Just a fact.

Good on the Steelers for having successive head coaches reach this level of success.

 

[Steelz]

Also the speed in which Tomlin reached 90.wins is more a testament to his predecessor than him. Tomlin inherited a far superior team than either Noll or Cowher. Just a fact.

A fact? No. Tomlin inherited 2 really good players. A QB and TE. Everyone else from Cowher's super bowl team was at the tail end of thier careers and cut/retired within 2 or 3 years. Cowher's actually lucky he won when he did, he had a TON of starters that year 30+ on thier way out the door. Also, as far as "superior"... Wasn't that team in the same exact situation we are now? Trying to win out to get a 6th seed. I don't want to call you dillusional but come on..

 

[Zack_of_Steel]

Yeah, Polamalu, Ike, Hampton, Smith, Keisel, Farrior, Foote, Harrison, Ward. All cut and out of the league by 2009. And none of them were "really good". Talk about delusional, lmfao.

Tomlin inherited a young, HoF QB, a HoF DC, the best S to ever play, another DPOY, and a defense that wound up one of the best ever in 2008.

 

[steelcan58]

A fact? No. Tomlin inherited 2 really good players. A QB and TE. Everyone else from Cowher's super bowl team was at the tail end of thier careers and cut/retired within 2 or 3 years. Cowher's actually lucky he won when he did, he had a TON of starters that year 30+ on thier way out the door. Also, as far as "superior"... Wasn't that team in the same exact situation we are now? Trying to win out to get a 6th seed. I don't want to call you dillusional but come on..

You are either a) Too young to recall the state of the teams Noll and Cowher inherited or b) delusional yourself. As Zach said, Tomlin inherited several key players at the top of their game and a team that had a couple of years ago won a Super Bowl. Noll and Cowher inherited teams that had little recent success and needed rebuilding - not retooling as all teams constantly need if they are to remain successful.

Not sure what your problem was in my analysis. I simply stated why Tomlin enjoyed success faster than his predecessors.And there is a huge compliment. Tomlin did build one of the alltime great offences this year. Especially when you consider the injuries. But it's far from a great team. Hopefully the defence catches up and it becomes a great team.

Noll built the greatest teams ever in the NFL. Will never be matched. Billicheat will likely be the closest. Cowher is clearly a level or 2 below. He had some very good teams. I think the best lost to Dallas in the Super Bowl. He was missing the best defensive player in the NFL (Woodson) all season and only O'Dumbell's brain farts cost us beating a great Dallas team. Now this is finally Tomlin's team. Time to see where he stands.

 

[Steelz]

Yeah, Polamalu, Ike, Hampton, Smith, Keisel, Farrior, Foote, Harrison, Ward. All cut and out of the league by 2009. And none of them were "really good". Talk about delusional, lmfao.

Tomlin inherited a young, HoF QB, a HoF DC, the best S to ever play, another DPOY, and a defense that wound up one of the best ever in 2008.

I'm so glad all those players helped us finish 11-5 last year when we won the division. Harrison was never a Cowher player, cowher just signed him, never played or started him. Now I'll give you Troy and Ike, but I'm sure most those other players were gone by 2010 or sooner or on thier last legs not even starting, I don't have time to look them up on my mobile right now but I'm sure they were. There's a lot of opinions on Lebeau rather his schemes were good enough but I'll give you that too. Still, winning in this league is not guaranteed, you still have to put together a complete team and keep them in tact and playing to win. There's a lot of teams with good players that's not winning right now.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Cowher's players. (giggle, snort, giggle....)

 

[t-man]

Ben. Roethlisberger.

You mean the moron who only plays sandlot football? They guy who can't read a defense, the game manger, the guy who holds the ball too long, and throws too many interceptions at the wrong time. The guy who if he throws more than 40 times a game it's a sure loss? These are all things I've read about Ben here as well, people pick a guy (Timmons, Ben) and just ride him for every slip up. I'm not sure what get's under peoples skin with some guys, but it happens. I don't think Tomlin is the best coach in the NFL, but he sure as **** is in the top 5. Disagree? Please, list the 5 guys that are currently better.

Joe

 

[steelcan58]

You mean the moron who only plays sandlot football? They guy who can't read a defense, the game manger, the guy who holds the ball too long, and throws too many interceptions at the wrong time. The guy who if he throws more than 40 times a game it's a sure loss? These are all things I've read about Ben here as well, people pick a guy (Timmons, Ben) and just ride him for every slip up. I'm not sure what get's under peoples skin with some guys, but it happens. I don't think Tomlin is the best coach in the NFL, but he sure as **** is in the top 5. Disagree? Please, list the 5 guys that are currently better.

Joe

Besides Billicheat I don't think there are any others that are definitely better than Tomlin. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some have good and bad moments. A lot more bad than good. It really isn't agreat era for HCs. No Nolls, Landrys, Walshes, Shulas out there right now. It's an era of parity (mediocrity).

 

[fedderone]

You are either a) Too young to recall the state of the teams Noll and Cowher inherited or b) delusional yourself. As Zach said, Tomlin inherited several key players at the top of their game and a team that had a couple of years ago won a Super Bowl. Noll and Cowher inherited teams that had little recent success and needed rebuilding - not retooling as all teams constantly need if they are to remain successful.

Not sure what your problem was in my analysis. I simply stated why Tomlin enjoyed success faster than his predecessors.And there is a huge compliment. Tomlin did build one of the alltime great offences this year. Especially when you consider the injuries. But it's far from a great team. Hopefully the defence catches up and it becomes a great team.

Noll built the greatest teams ever in the NFL. Will never be matched. Billicheat will likely be the closest. Cowher is clearly a level or 2 below. He had some very good teams. I think the best lost to Dallas in the Super Bowl. He was missing the best defensive player in the NFL (Woodson) all season and only O'Dumbell's brain farts cost us beating a great Dallas team. Now this is finally Tomlin's team. Time to see where he stands.

Cowher inherited : Dermotti Dawson, Barry Foster, Merrill Hoge, Eric Green, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Carnell Lake, Rod Woodson, and Gary Anderson.
Six Pro-Bowlers and 2 All Pros.
They won the division with an 11-5 record and had the League's leading rusher, largely due to a very underrated O-Line.

Not exactly the dire straits you're making it out to be.
Not quite the '78 team we fielded, either, but far from leaving the cupboard bare.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Besides Billicheat I don't think there are any others that are definitely better than Tomlin. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some have good and bad moments. A lot more bad than good. It really isn't agreat era for HCs. No Nolls, Landrys, Walshes, Shulas out there right now. It's an era of parity (mediocrity).

And Landry and Shula both had detractors before putting it all together and winning it all.

 

[steel dino]

Ben. Roethlisberger.

Chuck Noll = Terry Bradshaw - Steel Curtain - Dozen or so Hall of Famers

Bill Cowher = Ben - Bus - Blitzburgh

What's your point Zack?

 

[ark steel]

I'm so glad all those players helped us finish 11-5 last year when we won the division. Harrison was never a Cowher player, cowher just signed him, never played or started him. Now I'll give you Troy and Ike, but I'm sure most those other players were gone by 2010 or sooner or on thier last legs not even starting, I don't have time to look them up on my mobile right now but I'm sure they were. There's a lot of opinions on Lebeau rather his schemes were good enough but I'll give you that too. Still, winning in this league is not guaranteed, you still have to put together a complete team and keep them in tact and playing to win. There's a lot of teams with good players that's not winning right now.

and the group that finished 8-8 the year before Tomlin took over because, apparently, they were missing one guy for part of the year. Those players (who were indeed awesome) could not consistently win games without a healthy Ben behind the center.

 

[Vader]

Cowher inherited : Dermotti Dawson, Barry Foster, Merrill Hoge, Eric Green, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Carnell Lake, Rod Woodson, and Gary Anderson.
Six Pro-Bowlers and 2 All Pros.
They won the division with an 11-5 record and had the League's leading rusher, largely due to a very underrated O-Line.

Not exactly the dire straits you're making it out to be.
Not quite the '78 team we fielded, either, but far from leaving the cupboard bare.

I get sick of redoing this all the time. People are either out right lying or they have no clue. Most of Noll's left overs were either old and gone within a couple of years or weren't all pro's when Noll had them.

Foster: Only started 10 games under Noll and never sniffed a pro-bowl. He had less than 700 total rushing yards when Cowher arrived.
Dawson: Didn't sniff a pro-bowl until 1992 under Cowher.
Hoge: NEVER made a pro-bowl and was only with Cowher 2 years.
Green: Didn't sniff a pro-bowl until Cowher and left Via FA after 3 years with Cowher.
Nickerson: NEVER made a pro-bowl under Noll and only played ONE year with Cowher before leaving.

See most of those weren't probowlers when Cowher got them. And Woodson, Lake and Lloyd had been there for years. Noll wasn't winning with them. Contrast this with Tomlin. Tomlin won a SB with every single starter on defense except ONE from Cowher. His offense had 2 of his guys (Stapleton and Hartwig). Two of the worst players on the team. The rest were from Cowher. Most of Noll's players were gone within 3 to 4 years. And Cowher rebuilt the team. Even today Tomlin has 3 guys left from Cowher that are his main guys at those positions (Ben, Miller, Harrison).

Hell Tomlin had more of Cowher's players left in his 2nd SB against GB than Cowher had left of Noll's players after just 2 years.

 

[Vader]

I'm so glad all those players helped us finish 11-5 last year when we won the division. Harrison was never a Cowher player, cowher just signed him, never played or started him. Now I'll give you Troy and Ike, but I'm sure most those other players were gone by 2010 or sooner or on thier last legs not even starting, I don't have time to look them up on my mobile right now but I'm sure they were. There's a lot of opinions on Lebeau rather his schemes were good enough but I'll give you that too. Still, winning in this league is not guaranteed, you still have to put together a complete team and keep them in tact and playing to win. There's a lot of teams with good players that's not winning right now.

God do you people actually watch the Steelers? Harrison played in 44 games under Cowher. He started 8 games. He was with Cowher for 4 years. He didn't know the playbook and he even admitted it. He couldn't get it down until he stayed in the system for several years.

 

[Max Power]

Noll did his work entirely through the Draft. He inherited a disaster and he build a Dynasty. Not so with Cowher nor Tomlin. They're not on par with the likes of Chuck Noll. Doubt anyone ever will be, the game has changed so much ever since Free Agency and salary caps hit.

Noll stands alone.

 

[Stryker]

What Noll did was miraculous. He took a terrible franchise and made them a dynasty. All while starting his first year 1-13 and following it up with 2 very Steeler like seasons at 5-9 and 6-8. Then what? 72 was the immaculate reception giving them their first playoff victory in Steeler history, followed by 9 season of winning football and 4 SBs.

Cowher inherited a lot of talent and drafted well. Still an excellent coach, making the playoffs his first 6 seasons and one SB appearance.

Still amazing that Tomlin hit 90 faster at this point in his career than Cowher, considering how hot Cowher was his first 6 years. People tend to be a bit hard on Tomlin, and he has his faults, but getting to 2 SBs in 4 years, and winning one of them is a great feat as well.

We're just blessed to have 3 excellent coaches while the rest of the league rotates their coaching staff year after year after year!

 

[BAS]

Noll did his work entirely through the Draft. He inherited a disaster and he build a Dynasty. Not so with Cowher nor Tomlin. They're not on par with the likes of Chuck Noll. Doubt anyone ever will be, the game has changed so much ever since Free Agency and salary caps hit.

Noll stands alone.

Chuck didn't deal with Free Agency or a Salary Cap. He scores big with his scouting team in drafting the right players for the 70's run, but his dynasty ended long before his tenure as Head Coach did.

 

[antdrewjosh]

What Noll did was miraculous. He took a terrible franchise and made them a dynasty. All while starting his first year 1-13 and following it up with 2 very Steeler like seasons at 5-9 and 6-8. Then what? 72 was the immaculate reception giving them their first playoff victory in Steeler history, followed by 9 season of winning football and 4 SBs.

Cowher inherited a lot of talent and drafted well. Still an excellent coach, making the playoffs his first 6 seasons and one SB appearance.

Still amazing that Tomlin hit 90 faster at this point in his career than Cowher, considering how hot Cowher was his first 6 years. People tend to be a bit hard on Tomlin, and he has his faults, but getting to 2 SBs in 4 years, and winning one of them is a great feat as well.

We're just blessed to have 3 excellent coaches while the rest of the league rotates their coaching staff year after year after year!

Why can't it just be the above?? Three different people with different styles and approaches with the thankfully the same results. We are blessed and not cursed like the Browns and others.

 

[fedderone]

I get sick of redoing this all the time. People are either out right lying or they have no clue. Most of Noll's left overs were either old and gone within a couple of years or weren't all pro's when Noll had them.

Foster: Only started 10 games under Noll and never sniffed a pro-bowl. He had less than 700 total rushing yards when Cowher arrived.
Dawson: Didn't sniff a pro-bowl until 1992 under Cowher.
Hoge: NEVER made a pro-bowl and was only with Cowher 2 years.
Green: Didn't sniff a pro-bowl until Cowher and left Via FA after 3 years with Cowher.
Nickerson: NEVER made a pro-bowl under Noll and only played ONE year with Cowher before leaving.

See most of those weren't probowlers when Cowher got them. And Woodson, Lake and Lloyd had been there for years. Noll wasn't winning with them. Contrast this with Tomlin. Tomlin won a SB with every single starter on defense except ONE from Cowher. His offense had 2 of his guys (Stapleton and Hartwig). Two of the worst players on the team. The rest were from Cowher. Most of Noll's players were gone within 3 to 4 years. And Cowher rebuilt the team. Even today Tomlin has 3 guys left from Cowher that are his main guys at those positions (Ben, Miller, Harrison).

Hell Tomlin had more of Cowher's players left in his 2nd SB against GB than Cowher had left of Noll's players after just 2 years.

You previously said :

Noll and Cowher inherited teams that had little recent success and needed rebuilding - not retooling as all teams constantly need if they are to remain successful.

Sorry, but Cowher didn't come in and completely rebuild a team in one season to win the division and go 11-5 and have the League's leading rusher who beat Emmitt Smith out for that title.
While he/Donohoe had pretty solid draft that year, and ol' Billy was super excited and motivating in his rookie season, he wasn't THAT good where he took a bunch of undrafted free agents and Canadian Football players and accomplish what he did.

I can tell you hate Tomlin and love Cowher, and that's fine.
But please, at least be consistent and chose your words more carefully.

 

[Vader]

You previously said :

Noll and Cowher inherited teams that had little recent success and needed rebuilding - not retooling as all teams constantly need if they are to remain successful.

Sorry, but Cowher didn't come in and completely rebuild a team in one season to win the division and go 11-5 and have the League's leading rusher who beat Emmitt Smith out for that title.
While he/Donohoe had pretty solid draft that year, and ol' Billy was super excited and motivating in his rookie season, he wasn't THAT good where he took a bunch of undrafted free agents and Canadian Football players and accomplish what he did.

I can tell you hate Tomlin and love Cowher, and that's fine.
But please, at least be consistent and chose your words more carefully.

So you are saying both Noll and Cowher inherited teams that had a lot of success? I understand you love all things Tomlin but please chose your words more carefully and try to be a bit more intelligent. I was responding to your claim

Cowher inherited : Dermotti Dawson, Barry Foster, Merrill Hoge, Eric Green, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Carnell Lake, Rod Woodson, and Gary Anderson.
Six Pro-Bowlers and 2 All Pros.

Which is a total falsehood. He didn't inherited those players as pro-bowlers. So please be much more careful with your words. You need to make sure you know what the **** you are talking about.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Chuck Noll inherited very little talent. At his first training camp he said, "The problem isn't who to cut, it's who to keep?"