Taken from our interviews, here are some Steelers players words on Coach Tomlin:
Max Starks: “He was too tough the first year. He had us in pads through week thirteen – proving himself too much maybe. We were wound down – maybe that’s why we lost in the playoffs to Jacksonville that season despite being well-positioned in the playoffs. It was just too rough – we had nothing left. But, he made the change the next season. He took care of us during the week and told us he’d take the chains off us dogs on game day. We won the Super Bowl that season. He also set up an advisory board of veteran players so we could express our grievances to him. It wasn’t a dictatorship. He was willing to bend. That led to our success.”
Antwaan Randle El: “Tomlin had the same style as Cowher – the same fire. They were both great leaders. Tomlin was more of a player’s coach and hung out with the players more. He’d have lunch with the players every day. They were different, but still very similar.”
Charlie Batch: “Coach Tomlin knew the internal rumblings he had to deal with – many wanted and expected either Grimm or Wisenhunt to be the coach. All weren’t on board at first, but they all got it together quickly. Mike took it head on, talked about that with the players and the veterans understood it. It was the Rooneys’ decision, and the players accepted whatever their decisions were. The veterans understood it.”
Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith: “Tomlin liked my physicality but he didn’t like me not being vocal.”
Nick Eason: “Everyone loved Mike. He did things Mike’s way. It was his time. It took some adjusting for some guys.”
Jeremy Parquet: “Mike Tomlin was on the Buccaneers coaching staff when I played in the 2005 Senior Bowl. Upon my arrival to Pittsburgh, Mike T pulled me into his office and we had a real candid meeting about my career and what goals I had for myself. I needed and appreciated that because that was exactly what I needed to get going again!”
Jerame Tuman: “I think we were all impressed with Coach Tomlin. I know I was. Coach Tomlin is only a few years older than I am, and I can remember thinking that for a first year head coach he came across as a coaching veteran. I think he handled it the right way. His first year he didn’t try to rewrite the book. He added just enough of his own touch and left what was working alone. He took his time changing things to his approach. “
Wes Lyons: “Coach Tomlin was heavily involved during practices, but I did not feel that he was harsh – at least not until he cut me ..”
Oliver Gibson: “Tomlin’s style is unlike any other – he’s the most real guy I’ve ever seen as a coach. When you checked in to Latrobe, there’s a v-shaped concrete seat in front of the door. Tomlin was sitting there when I checked in calling out to the players as they went in, telling them they needed to produce, that they couldn’t make the team from the hot tub… No one expected him to be there…”
Chukky Okobi: “Coach Tomlin and Kevin Colbert know what they are doing, thats why the steelers are competitive and give the team a chance to be champs year after year”
Eugene Bright: “I think Coach Tomlin stayed constant; he knows how to lead, “
Roy Lewis: ” Tomlin referred to something in out third preseason game I didn’t forget. He said there are two kinds of people – those who feel pressure and those who apply pressure. He said that they’d see which we were then”
Dezmond Sherrod: “Playing for Coach Tomlin was an awesome experience. He’s a natural leader who caters to the situation to produce the best outcome. He knew when to make practices tough to prepare for a big game but also he knew when to cut the team a break or “throw us a bone” as we said, to lift the spirits of our tired or worn out team.”
Anthony Trucks: “The first practice out there coach Tomlin came and found me and said hi just to say hi. It was odd to me because it had never happened before. He was a very regimented but respected leader.”
Mortty Ivy: “Coach Tomlin was more like a player’s coach, but when it came to business and between the lines it was nothing but work to be 1-0 that week.”
Jeff Reed: “Cowher took special teams seriously, but Tomlin made them more of a focus”
Brentson Buckner: “Cowher’s attitude was that we needed to work harder than any other team. Tomlin was the same way – you have to outwork the thirty-one other teams”
Travis Kirschke: “Coach Tomlin would always say when the team succeeds then there will be enough for the whole team to eat. Meaning, everyone will benefit.”
Dallas Baker: “Coach Tomlin wouldn’t let me quit. I walked away a few times in training camp, I told him I wanted to be a coach. He told me I had the ability and the only reason why I fell in the draft was because of my 40 time. He said my 40 time hurt me, but they knew I was a top wide receiver in my class and thought I was a steal.”
Dean Dingman: “Even Colbert and Tomlin today. Those guys come down to LSU and they are really good people – great guys”