Mike Tomlin first entered the NFL as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. After winning a Super Bowl and spending five seasons in Tampa, Tomlin was named defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006.
In 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Tomlin as head coach; the rest is history.
This Sunday, Tomlin’s 6-2 Steelers travel to Washington to face the 7-2 Commanders. Tomlin will see an old friend on the other sideline: Washington head coach Dan Quinn.
When Tomlin was a senior defensive back at William & Mary in 1994, the Tribe had a new defensive line coach: Quinn. In 1995, Tomlin began his coaching career at VMI. Quinn also landed at VMI in 1995 as defensive line coach. Like Tomlin, Quinn’s first NFL job was in 2001 with the San Francisco 49ers.
Over the years, the two men remained close friends. Previewing Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, Quinn reflected on his respect for Tomlin.
“It’s so high and it really starts with Mike, and he’s someone I’ve known for more than half my life,” Quinn said of his respect for the Steelers and Tomlin.
“So my first year of coaching was Mike’s last year of playing, and we’ve remained good friends since then. We actually coached together for a year after that, his first year of coaching during my second , but he’s just someone I admire a lot. You’ve heard me talk a lot about identity and what it looks like and I think Mike represents that. high as Mike as a coach and as a man “So I feel his strength through their team and it’s a good group. “
Tomlin remains one of the best coaches in the NFL, with a career record of 179-102-2 and a Super Bowl victory as head coach.
The Commanders and Steelers are one of the marquee matchups in the NFL this weekend.
This article was originally published on Commanders Wire: Dan Quinn details his friendship with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
