Mike Tomlin: Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Says He’s Worried About Job Security

Mike Tomlin might be seen as the last person to be worried about job security, but the Super Bowl winning coach said he is afraid the Pittsburgh Steelers could dump him if they turn in another disappointing season.

Tomlin is 71-41 since succeeding Bill Cowher as the Steelers head coach, but is coming off back-to-back 8-8 seasons, a rarity for Pittsburgh.

Mike Tomlin is clearly worried for his own future. When the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asked him what it’s like having three ex-NFL coaches on his staff, Tomlin replied that he is actually worried he could end up in the same place.

“Hopefully, I’m not one of them [when the season ends],” Tomlin said, adding that he does not assume that his job is ever safe.

As of now, there are no reports that Tomlin is on the hot seat and in fact he is signed through the 2016 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known as a team that likes stability at the head coaching position — they have just three dating back to 1969 — and the team has expressed nothing but faith in Mike Tomlin.

But Tomlin still faces a considerable amount of pressure going into the 2014 season. The AFC North is becoming increasingly competitive, with the Cincinnati Bengals are emerging as a possible Super Bowl contender, the Baltimore Ravens looking to bounce back from their post-Super Bowl letdown, and the Cleveland Browns a wild card mark with Johnny Manziel at the helm.

Tomlin says he has a lot to be excited about this year. The Steelers brought in bruising running back LeGarrette Blount from the New England Patriots and drafted Dri Archer, setting up a strong running back cohort behind starter Le’Veon Bell.

“I’m excited about letting these guys sort themselves out from a division of labor standpoint,” Mike Tomlin said. “I know that they are all committed to being significant components to what we do.”

After finishing 27th and 26th in rushing the last two years, Tomlin thinks they might be ready to turn a corner and offer a strong running game to complement Ben Roethlisberger.

But though he’s not under much pressure now, Mike Tomlin could see that change in a hurry if the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t win. The franchise has not had three straight years without a winning record since 1971.