The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new era. While head coach changes are commonplace for some franchises, the Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969.
On Tuesday, January 13, longtime head coach Mike Tomlin announced his resignation following a 10-7 regular season and another first-round playoff exit.
Pittsburgh will now conduct just its fourth coaching search in the last 56 years. Tomlin was hired ahead of the 2007 NFL season, taking over for Bill Cowher, who had been the Steelers’ head coach since 1992. Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll served as Pittsburgh’s head coach from 1969 to 1991.
With a major change coming to the organization, team owner Art Rooney II held a rare press conference. Rooney normally speaks only once per year at the League Owners Meetings, making this sudden appearance a very big deal, especially given the circumstances.
He discussed Tomlin’s informing him that he was resigning, the plan for the upcoming coaching search, and reconfirmed that this is not a rebuild and he expects Pittsburgh to compete in 2026 and beyond.
The Sporting News tracked updates and highlights from the rare media session with the Steelers’ owner.
MORE: Why did Mike Tomlin step down?
Art Rooney press conference updates
All times ET.
12:17 p.m. — Rooney ends his press conference saying that he doesn’t like the term re-build and that he intends to compete Day 1 “if we can.”
12:16 p.m. — When asked about the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Rooney said, “Aaron came here to play for Mike; this will likely affect his decision.”
12:15 p.m. — Rooney expects the new head coach to come in ready to compete.
12:14 p.m. — Rooney was asked if he tried to talk Tomlin out of his decision, and he said no, that Tomlin seemed very sure. When pressed on why he wasn’t shocked at the conversation, he said that it was 18 or 19 years and that it was going to end eventually.
12:12 p.m. — When asked how he characterizes the Mike Tomlin era, he said that it was a “winning era.” He said all-in-all he would take being in contention every year.
12:10 p.m. — Rooney wouldn’t put a date on the move, but thinks it would certainly be nice to have a new head coach by the NFL Combine. That offseason event begins on February 23.
12:10 p.m. — Rooney doesn’t believe anyone on staff is going to be a candidate to be the new head coach. He doesn’t rule out that they can be retained, just not as the head coach.
12:09 p.m. — Rooney confirmed that Tomlin is not expected to coach in the near future and he expects the former head coach to spend time with his family.
He said that he will miss the presence that Tomlin had in the building.
12:08 p.m. — When asked about what he remembers from hiring Tomlin, Rooney said that the biggest key will be to have an open mind. When they had Tomlin in for his initial interview, they weren’t expecting him to become the new head coach, but here they are.
12:07 p.m. — Rooney said that the top characteristic that they are going to be looking for is leadership.
12:06 p.m. — Rooney said that he expects the head coaching search to take a few weeks. He said the organization will be an open book for who they look for. Rooney also said that he would definitely sign up for another Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher or Mike Tomlin, but they aren’t going to limit the search.
12:05 p.m. — Rooney doesn’t know the exact reasoning from Tomlin, but said that he believes that it was more of a family-related decision as opposed to a football-related decision.
12:04 p.m. — Rooney declines to get into Tomlin’s contract, but did say he was willing to take another run at it with the head coach. He said that the conversation with Tomlin lasted 15-20 minutes.
12:03 p.m. — Rooney reiterated that it was Tomlin’s decision to leave, and while he wasn’t expecting that conversation yesterday, it didn’t shock him.
12:03 p.m. — Rooney said that he and GM Omar Khan will lead the search for a new head coach.
12:02 p.m. — Rooney said about Tomlin, “We were always in contention with Mike, and that’s what counts.”
12:02 p.m. — The press conference began. Rooney begins by saying that he and Tomlin met and that it was Tomlin who informed him that he would be stepping down.
11:53 a.m. — Art Rooney II was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He got his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his JD (law degree) from Duquesne University.
Rooney was named the President of the Steelers in 2003 and took over as the owner in 2017 when his father Art Rooney passed. The senior Rooney bought the Steelers for $2,500 and helped to found the franchise in 1933.
11:31 a.m. — The press conference is scheduled to begin at noon ET.
Why did Mike Tomlin step down as Steelers head coach?
Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers’ head coach on Tuesday, January 13. The move came one day after the Pittsburgh 2025-2026 season ended in a home Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
He had been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007. Tomlin had one year left on his most recent contract extension, plus a team option. It is likely that the decision to resign was made to avoid being fired. The move allows him to go out on his own terms and helps the Steelers retain his coaching rights through the 2027 season.
Tomlin released a statement, but it does not address the reasoning behind his decision.
Statement from Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/OfEsHne2MQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2026
MORE: What’s next for Mike Tomlin?
How to watch Art Rooney press conference today
Rooney’s press conference is not expected to be televised except in the local Pittsburgh market. NFL Network may have a stream, but that is not confirmed in the Steelers’ press release.
Rooney’s presser will be live-streamed on Steelers.com, the Steelers YouTube channel, the Steelers official X account, and the Steelers official Facebook account.
