PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After getting a huge win Sunday in Baltimore, head coach Mike Tomlin asked about the reception he expects to receive as the Steelers return home, and the pressure on him.
“Man, I’ve been on the hot seat for 19 years,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
Asked if he has something to prove to the fans, as if it was a motivation for the win over the Ravens.
“I always feel like I got something to prove not necessarily to anyone in particular, but that’s just the spirit in which I go about what I do professionally,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin said it’s the job of a head coach to take the blame for bad play, losses, all of it. He also said he’s been around it long enough that most fans just remember the most recent result.
“I just think that's what this business is about,” Tomlin said. “It's week to week. They're gonna be good weeks and you can't wear your hand out patting yourself on the back when you have those good weeks and you certainly can't hate yourself when you have those negative weeks and as a leader I think it's important that I show that steady presence to provide that compass, if you will, for the collective.”
Steelers receiver DK Metcalf said after the Ravens win Tomlin has done nothing but take the bullets for them. Its motivated them to play their best football. Patrick Queen said Tomlin has created a brotherhood, a family, and they have each other’s backs.
“I just think I understand my role as a leader, to be what my guys need me to be,” Tomlin said. “And certainly, when you're coming off a negative performance, they need stability and belief.”
Tomlin pointed out last week, what gives him confidence is that he knows what he’s doing, it’s life experiences and a career record of 190-113. He is a win away from being in sole position of 10th place on the NFL all-time coaching wins list. He is currently three wins shy of Chuck Noll for the franchise lead.
But what does Tomlin expect from the fans at home Monday, where he was booed and heard chants that he should be fired?
“I expect them to show up, it’s Monday Night Football at Acrisure,” Tomlin said. “It’s going to be a big game.”