Mike Tomlin, the long-time head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, announced he is stepping down after 19 seasons leading the team. Tomlin said he made the choice after “much thought and reflection” and shared a heartfelt message thanking Steelers owner Art Rooney II, the players, coaches, staff, and Steelers fans for their support over nearly two decades. He called it “an absolute honor” to coach in Pittsburgh, a city and organization he deeply respects.

Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh was marked by steady success: he never had a losing season and led the team to a Super Bowl win, many playoff runs, and several division titles. But recent years brought frustration with early playoff exits, and his decision to step down comes right after the Steelers’ loss in the wild-card round this season.

Players and staff were reportedly emotional when he shared the news, showing how much Tomlin meant to the team. As the Steelers now begin the rare process of searching for a new head coach, many fans and players are reflecting on what his leadership has meant to them both on and off the field.