While many Pittsburgh Steelers fans had long been ready for Mike Tomlin and the franchise to part ways, those on the outside have rightfully been paying respect to one of the NFL’s most successful coaches in history as he turns the page to his next chapter.
That next chapter appears to be on television next season, with reports indicating that FOX is the frontrunner to get Tomlin behind a desk and in front of a camera. Still, everyone in and out of the football world is patiently waiting to see what he does next.
NBA legend in his own right, Kevin Durant, had his own thoughts on where he thinks Tomlin fits best, and based on the coach’s history, he might be spot on.
NBA legend Kevin Durant offers up a perfect landing spot for Mike Tomlin's post-Pittsburgh Steelers career
Durant joined Kay Adams on her podcast recently, where Adams asked Durant where he’d like to see Tomlin next.
“I would love to see him on 'Monday Night Football', in studio,” he said. Durant went on to say that he personally enjoys watching coaches like Jon Gruden and Bill Belichick break down the strategies and science behind the game and would love to see Tomlin do the same with ESPN.
Though he did shut down Adams’ playful offer for Tomlin to also do a First Take hit as a part of the deal. Durant was right when he said that Tomlin wouldn’t enjoy that part of sports media very much.
That said, Tomlin’s record on Monday nights would make for a great pairing with ESPN’s broadcast of the final game each week. The Steelers won 23 consecutive Monday night home games before Tomlin’s final loss to Houston last week. Overall, Tomlin held a 22-4 record on Monday nights.
On top of Tomlin’s Monday night dominance, if he went to ESPN, he’d pair up with one of his former players, Ryan Clark, each week to talk football, which would surely make for great TV.
Nonetheless, Durant said what everyone is thinking about Tomlin while waiting to see what comes next for the coach who led the Steelers franchise for 19 seasons.
“A lot of people are excited to see what Mike Tomlin is going to do,” he said. “If he goes back to coaching, that’ll be amazing. If he goes into TV, if he does anything around the game of football, he’ll add value anywhere.”
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Durant also paid respect to Tomlin’s career in Pittsburgh with great admiration.
“Man, just a hell of a career in Pittsburgh. Just a legendary career in Pittsburgh. A coach in that community that will never be forgotten. Just set the tone every day. Loved the game of football. Loved coaching. Loved, you know, guiding and developing young men into being pros. You know, I’ve just got so much respect for his journey.”
The outpouring of respect Tomlin is receiving as he prepares his next move is great to see, especially from a legendary sports figure like Durant. Even for those of us in the fanbase who were ready to move on, the love and respect for the man still exist.
Regardless of what network Tomlin signs on with, should he go that route, it’ll be a bittersweet moment for Steelers fans when the red light comes on for the first time. But the great orator he is, fans will no doubt enjoy watching the legend every week talk football with other legends, just like Terry Bradshaw on FOX and coach Bill Cowher on CBS before him.