AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Carson Palmer, a former USC quarterback, said that Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' coach in Pittsburgh could be a "wildcard" to fill the Trojans' vacant head-coaching position.
Palmer stated that "that's what's so wonderful about the job." He spoke on Dan Patrick Show. It can be a lure for an NFL player who is tired of their current situation, and worries about "Is Ben Roethlisberger gone?" Is he gone? Who will we draft? Mike Tomlin will have to draft a young rookie quarterback in the first round.
Tomlin, the Steelers' head coaching since 2007, signed a three year extension in April which keeps him on contract until the 2024 season. Since 1969, the Steelers have only had three coaches. After Tomlin retired from football, Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher were Tomlin's predecessors.
Although some NFL coaches have left for college, it is rare for someone with Tomlin's experience to leave for USC. It's unlikely that the Steelers would fire Tomlin if there are a few lean years. Their loyalty is also unprecedented.
Tomlin has no ties to USC and the Los Angeles area which makes the possibility of a match even more unlikely.
It is more likely that USC will fill its vacancy with one or more college candidates, or possibly an NFL coordinator. The Trojans are likely to make a splash when they hire their next hire. Clay Helton was an uninspired choice that resulted in largely uninspired results.
Since Pete Carroll's departure for the Seattle Seahawks in 2009, the program has not finished within the top five of AP polls.
