Recalling 2021 Mike Tomlin-USC rumors following his resignation

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On Tuesday, longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin officially stepped down. Tomlin spent the past 19 years as the head coach in Pittsburgh, winning a Super Bowl with the team following the 2008 season.

So how exactly is this a USC story? Well for one, Tomlin coached legendary USC safety Troy Polamalu for much of his NFL career. More recently, however, Tomlin’s name was briefly a hot topic during USC’s 2021 coaching search.

Back in October of 2021, the Trojans were in the midst of the search that ultimately landed Lincoln Riley. During the search, legendary USC quarterback Carson Palmer appeared on The Dan Patrick Show. When asked about candidates for USC’s next head coach, Palmer floated Tomlin as a name that the Trojans were pursuing.

When asked about the rumor in a press conference, Tomlin appeared insulted by the suggestion

“I don’t have time for that speculation. That’s a joke to me. I’ve of one of the best job in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? Never say never. But never. There’s not a booster with a big enough blank check.”

First of all, as someone who loves college football, I found Tomlin’s remark rather disrespectful. The fact that he was so offended by even the notion of coaching the greatest sport on the planet is wild. Hence, it is somewhat satisfying to know that he never won another playoff game after this.

Four years later, however, Tomlin no longer has an NFL job. So could he have any interest in coaching college football now? USC does need a defensive coordinator, after all.

The odds of such a move happening are practically zero. But as a wise man once said, “Never say never.”

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Mike Tomlin was once linked to USC football

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