"There's not a booster with a big enough blank check": Mike Tomlin doesn't mince words on college job in resurfaced clip amid Steelers hot-seat noise

Buffalo Bills v Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Getty
Mike Tomllin once said he would never coach college football - Source: Getty

Mike Tomlin has been facing calls from fans for the Pittsburgh Steelers to fire him after years of mediocrity, especially after a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.

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And during Tuesday's episode of his "Footbahlin'" podcast, former franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger touted the veteran coach as a great fit for the Penn State Nittany Lions:

"Maybe a fresh start for him is what's best. ... You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships, because he's a great recruiter."

However, even should he be fired from the Steelers, he is unlikely to follow Bill Belichick to the NCAA, if some old comments are any indication.

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Back in 2021, Tomlin was linked to USC and LSU. However, during a press conference ahead of a game against the Cleveland Browns, he denied having any interest in those jobs, in the process even wondering aloud whether Sean Payton and Andy Reid had been asked about it as well:

"I don't have time for that speculation. That's a joke to me. I've got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport... There's not a booster with a big enough blank check."
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Back in the present day, another one of Tomlin's former players has made it clear that he wants to see a coaching change - James Harrison. The former linebacker said on his "Deebo and Joe" podcast with former cornerback Joe Haden:

"A good coach gets you to play to your potential. And right now, the players we have on that team, I have seen play, they’re not playing up to their potential. ... Something has to be done."
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Insider gets candid about Mike Tomlin's job security as pressure mounts on Steelers HC

Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo shared his thoughts on the pressure that Mike Tomlin is facing heading into the final five games of the 2025 season:

"I don't think there's any way you can deny it now. Still, guys, it's not going to be a firing. But I could see a scenario where, after the season ends, and let's assume they finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs, ... I could see them meeting and coming to the agreement that it's probably best for both parties that we go our separate ways."

The Steelers' next game will be at the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday. Kickoff is at 1 pm ET on CBS.

Steelers Fans! Check out the latest Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule and dive into the Steelers Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Andre Castillo
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