Generations of former William & Mary student-athletes have achieved tremendous success in their chosen professions following their athletic careers, but few can match the standard of excellence attained by former Tribe football standout Mike Tomlin '95 who recently stepped down as the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach after 19 exceptional seasons at the helm of one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
The longest-tenured head coach in North American professional sports, Tomlin's remarkable career was highlighted by leading the Steelers to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl XLIII during just his second season in Pittsburgh. In doing so, he became the youngest head coach (36) to win the Lombardi Trophy at the time.
En route to guiding the Steelers to 19 consecutive seasons without a losing record – a remarkable feat that will likely never be duplicated – Tomlin helped the organization win two conference championships and eight division titles. The Newport News, Va., native ranks as the ninth-winningest coach in NFL history (193-114-2) and totaled 201 career victories when including the postseason.
"Mike was an exceptional student‑athlete at William & Mary, but it was his leadership that truly distinguished him," former W&M Football Head Coach Jimmye Laycock said. "He carried those qualities seamlessly into the coaching profession, and his achievements in Pittsburgh have earned him rightful consideration among the game's greats. As accomplished as he is as a coach, I believe he is an even better person. He has consistently expressed how formative his time with the Tribe was in shaping his career, and that is a source of pride for our entire alumni community."
Inducted into W&M's Hall of Fame in 2012, Tomlin posted a prolific collegiate career as one of the top wide receivers in the program's 132-year history and remains the Tribe's career (20.1) and single-season (25.5) record holder for yards per catch.
A team captain and all-conference standout, Tomlin totaled 106 receptions for 2,054 yards with 20 touchdowns during his career in Williamsburg from 1990-94.
"Mike is a man well respected in all arenas," W&M Football Head Coach
Mike London said. "A Hall of Fame Football coach, husband, father and friend. His NFL career spans decades of success and influence, and his 757 roots have had a lasting impact at Denbigh High School and William & Mary. Thank you to the Tomlin family for sharing your husband and dad."
Following his graduation from W&M in 1995, Tomlin immediately began a career in coaching and quickly ascended to the positional level. Hired by legendary head coach Tony Dungy to oversee the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs, Tomlin helped the Bucs become one of the NFL's elite defenses and propelled the organization to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.
After a successful one-year stint as the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2006, Tomlin was hired as the Steelers' head coach on Jan. 27, 2007 and began a remarkable head coaching journey that will conclude in Canton, Ohio with a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
