Former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer has been hitting the airwaves talking about Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin potentially being interested in the USC head coaching position.
Carson Palmer has been included in conversations surrounding #USC next Head Football Coach and he says #Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is a name that could be in the mix. pic.twitter.com/GJpar0cZUy
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) October 25, 2021
The 49-year-old Steelers coach’s NCAA coaching credentials were at the assistant level at VMI, Memphis, Arkansas State, and Cincinnati before he broke into the NFL as Tampa Bay’s defensive backs coach in 2001.
So for argument’s sake, let’s say Tomlin has unfinished business in the NCAA ranks.
That argument, and any other about Tomlin’s future at USC, were immediately stymied by Tomlin himself when asked about the USC job at a recent press conference.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin swiftly rejects any speculation he’d be a candidate for the USC job. “Never say next, but never.” pic.twitter.com/EiP1spB4jc
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 26, 2021
Tomlin’s Words
In his usual forthright tone, Tomlin did not hold back in his disgust about being asked or his disinterest in the job.
“Guys, I don’t have time for that speculation. I mean that’s a joke to me. I have one of the best jobs in all professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? That will be the last time I address it. Not only today but moving forward. Never say never but never. Ok?…Anybody asking Sean Payton about that? Anybody asking Andy Reid about stuff like that?”
We have no reason to not believe Tomlin.
It is his career and his own personal choice.
If he does change his mind and take the job, he will forever be compared to Nick Saban who said he would not leave the Miami Dolphins to coach Alabama.
Then, he did.
Jan 3, 2007: Nick Saban becomes the head coach of Alabama after claiming he would not leave the Miami Dolphins, thereby making … #TIRSH pic.twitter.com/4iVxioSP7q
— The Pickle (@sportspickle) January 3, 2017
Who knows what the future holds for Tomlin?
That is business for after the NFL season is over.
The only certainty he is planning for right now is the Cleveland Browns, a bitter AFC North divisional rival.
The Steelers travel to play the Browns in Week 8 on Halloween at 1:00 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
NEXT: Eric Ebron Comments On Reduced Role With Steelers