Mike Tomlin signs Pittsburgh Steelers contract extension
Thursday 23 July 2015 19:41, UK
The Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2018.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team but reports suggest the contract is worth at least $7 million per season, which would put Tomlin among the NFL’s top-five highest-paid coaches.
Tomlin, 43, is the sixth-longest-tenured coach in the league and became just the third man to coach Steelers since 1969 when he succeeded Bill Cowher in 2006.
The 43-year-old, who led the Steelers to the AFC North division title last season, said he was grateful for the new contract and remains focused on winning his second Super Bowl title in Pittsburgh.
“I very much appreciate this contract extension, but my sole focus has been and will continue to be meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the 2015 season,” Tomlin said.
“These past nine years in Pittsburgh have been a wonderful experience for my family, and I look forward to pursuing what is the Steelers’ goal every year – bringing another Super Bowl championship to the City of Pittsburgh.”
In Tomlin’s eight years as head coach, he has guided the team to an 82-46 regular-season record, the best start in franchise history by a Steelers head coach.
He has led Pittsburgh to four AFC North titles, five playoff appearances and two Super Bowl berths (XLIII and XLV).
Steelers president Art Rooney II said: “Mike has proven he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident he will continue to lead the team in our pursuit of another Super Bowl championship.”
The Steelers report for training camp at Saint Vincent College on Saturday and open the preseason in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio on August 9.
