Tomlin: "Never say never" about USC rumors But never (0:58).
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated Tuesday that he is not considering a move to college coaching.
Tomlin ended speculation that he might be in the mix for college coaching positions at USC and LSU during Tuesday's weekly news conference. Tomlin stated, "Hey guys, I don’t have the time for that speculation." "It's a joke to you. It was one of the most rewarding jobs in professional sports. Why would I be interested in coaching college football?
"That will be my last address to it. It's not just today, but also moving forward. Never say never. Okay? Anyone else have any questions about college jobs? A big enough blank check is not enough to boost a booster.
He was not done. Tomlin concluded his final call with questions by expressing one last thought.
"Anybody ask Sean Payton, Saints coach about that?" Anyone asking Andy Reid, Chiefs coach, about such things?
Through speculation by Doug Whaley (ex-Buffalo Bills general manager), former Steelers defensive back Ryan Clark, and USC's LSU openings, Tomlin's name was linked to these positions. Carson Palmer, a former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, suggested Tomlin could be considered for the USC job.
Tomlin became the youngest Super Bowl winning head coach at 36 years old when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Since 2007, he has a record of 154-87-1 and has never lost a season with the Steelers.
After brief stints at VMI and Memphis, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Tomlin entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2001 as a defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then moved to Minnesota as the defensive coordinator for 2006.
