James Harrison Pushes Back on Mike Tomlin’s Hall of Fame Case-But Does the Resume Say Otherwise?
In the wake of Mike Tomlin stepping down after 19 seasons as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the conversation around his legacy has taken center stage. With nearly two decades at the helm, a Super Bowl ring, and a streak of winning seasons unmatched in NFL history, Tomlin’s name naturally enters the Hall of Fame discussion. But not everyone is sold-especially one of his former stars.
James Harrison, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and longtime Steeler, isn’t shy about his stance. On his “Deebo and Joe” podcast with fellow ex-Steeler Joe Haden, Harrison made it clear: in his view, Tomlin doesn’t belong in Canton.
“No,” Harrison said bluntly when asked if Tomlin is a Hall of Famer. His reasoning? A lack of a coaching tree.
“He hasn’t made disciples,” Harrison argued, pointing out that none of Tomlin’s assistants have gone on to become successful head coaches elsewhere. It’s a critique that’s been levied against Tomlin before, but hearing it from someone who spent the bulk of his 17-year career under Tomlin’s leadership gives it a little more weight.
Harrison also noted that Tomlin inherited legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau when he took over the Steelers in 2007-LeBeau had been hired by Bill Cowher and was retained by Tomlin. That, in Harrison’s eyes, diminishes the credit Tomlin gets for the early success that included two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy.
“You’re telling me you’re a Hall of Fame coach, but no one has followed you?” Harrison asked. “He’s the only coach that has coached this long and does not have a tree.”
Joe Haden, who played for Tomlin from 2017 to 2021, pushed back. He argued that a Hall of Fame résumé shouldn’t be dismissed simply because of struggles hiring offensive coordinators. Harrison wasn’t buying it, doubling down with the claim that Tomlin intentionally hired assistants who wouldn’t challenge his authority.
Now, it’s fair to say Harrison’s critique isn’t without merit. The absence of a coaching tree is unusual for someone who’s been in the league as long as Tomlin. But it’s also just one piece of a much larger picture.
And that picture? It’s pretty compelling.
Tomlin’s 193 regular-season wins, 13 playoff appearances, eight division titles, two AFC championships, and one Super Bowl ring all stack up favorably against coaches already enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Perhaps most impressive is his NFL-record 19 consecutive winning seasons to start a coaching career. That level of consistency, especially in a league built for parity, is rare.
Of course, there are blemishes. Tomlin’s playoff record sits at 8-12, and the Steelers have lost seven straight postseason games-five of them in blowout fashion. That postseason slide is a sticking point for some critics, and it’s fair to wonder how much it will weigh on Hall of Fame voters.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the totality of the résumé. Sustained success, a Super Bowl title, and nearly two decades of relevance in one of the NFL’s most scrutinized markets is no small feat.
It’s also worth noting the source of the criticism. Harrison is forever tied to one of Tomlin’s signature moments: his 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII, a play that helped seal Tomlin’s lone championship. But Harrison also had a rocky exit from Pittsburgh, finishing his career with the rival Patriots-a move that didn’t sit well with many in Steelers Nation.
Tomlin, 53, is expected to take at least a year away from coaching, possibly stepping into a media role or simply enjoying time with family. Whether he returns to the sideline or not, the Hall of Fame debate is already in motion.
And while Harrison’s voice is a loud one, it’s not the only one. The numbers, the longevity, and the impact Tomlin’s had on one of the NFL’s flagship franchises speak volumes. Whether that’s enough for a gold jacket remains to be seen, but make no mistake-the case is strong.