The Steelers are looking for a new coach after Mike Tomlin’s unexpected exit, the team’s president said

Mike Tomlin’s decision to retire after losing the AFC Wild Card in a blowout has pushed the Steelers into a head coach search.

Tomlin did not explain the reason for the withdrawal in a statement released Tuesday, but he thanked owner Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their nearly two decades of trust.

“Although this chapter is coming to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will always be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin concluded in a statement.

Rooney II and Omar Khan will oversee the coaching search, with Rooney calling Tomlin’s decision unexpected but not surprising.

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“It was his decision, and I’ll say I’m not shocked, but I also didn’t expect that conversation yesterday,” said Rooney. “… I was definitely determined to run again next year with Mike, and that’s what I was expecting to talk about yesterday, but it went the other way.”

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Tomlin has two years left on his Steelers contract, and any team that wants to hire him before 2027 will need to compensate Pittsburgh. Rooney acknowledged the slim prospects of coaching Tomlin later this year and provided some context for his departure, saying it was focused on his health.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II watches before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photos by Nick Cammett/Diamond via Getty Images)

“Mike said he wasn’t looking forward to coaching so soon,” said Rooney. “I think he wants to spend time with his family and do things he hasn’t been able to do for years. So if something like that comes up, we’ll deal with it if it comes up, but it doesn’t appear to be something on his radar.”

Rooney said he, Khan and other key decision-makers would take an open-ended approach to the unconventional coaching search.

“I have participated in many search campaigns to return to training [Bill] Cowher and the GM search,” Rooney said as he recalled the early coaching experience. “I think if I’ve learned anything about the search it’s to have an open mind. We have Mike in his first interview, I really didn’t expect him to be our head coach. I think you just go through the process and be diligent and hopefully you’ll come out with the right person.”

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 12, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Asked about the qualities he would look for in candidates, Rooney said leadership was at the top of the list.

“I think there are many things that can lead to being a successful coach,” said Rooney. “No. 1 in my mind is leadership and I trust this person to be able to step up in front of the team every day and hold their attention and motivate them to do what they do. That’s the most important thing.”

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After defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to win the AFC North and the final spot in the NFL playoffs, the Steelers scored just six points in a loss to the Houston Texans on Monday.

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