How Mike Tomlin has fared in the postseason versus his peers

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on September 3, 2021

All offseason, everywhere I look, all I see is that Steelers Nation is (once again) in an uproar of Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s “playoff record”. An early exit for the second time in four years has fans in a tizzy, however, many of them fail to realize hard how it is to win in the playoffs.

This begs the question that fans aren’t asking: how good are most playoff coaches? Only one team finishes the season without a “playoff loss” – and that would be the Super Bowl champions.

In addition, teams either play three or four games total in the postseason, depending on their seeding. A three-win playoff team will still finish 3-1 if they don’t win in the Super Bowl.

Embed from Getty Images

Then there’s playoff appearances in general. Many organizations, and fan bases, would kill to have the success of the Steelers. I understand the disappointment of fans who want to win it all, but outside of rare dynasties, such as the New England Patriots or even the Steelers of the 1970’s, playoff losses are actually a good measure of success: it means that that team made the playoffs at a minimum.

Prior to the 2020 season, only 12 of the NFL’s 32 teams could say that each season. The 2020 season added two more Wild Card spots to bump the numbers, with up to 14 teams qualifying for the postseason now.

However, that’s still fewer than half of the league’s members who make it that far.

While Mike Tomlin hasn’t recently won playoff games, he’s not alone. Other long-tenured coaches have had minimal success following their Super Bowl wins as well, including the Ravens’ John Harbaugh, Saints’ Sean Payton, and Seahawks’ Pete Carroll.

Each has been on their own fan base’s hot seats off and on over the years, including now, as all three existed the playoffs after one or no wins.

I want to compare some of these coaches, past and present, to Mike Tomlin’s record. So, let’s start there first:

Mike Tomlin

5-2 record in playoffs through first four seasons as the Steelers head coach
Since 2010 Super Bowl appearance, 3-6 since through 2020 season
8-8 all-time playoff record
Qualified for playoff 9/14 seasons
2 Super Bowl appearances
1 Super Bowl win

Now, here’s how some of Mike Tomlin’s peers compare, within the same ballpark of “lack of success” give or take a season or two of their resume. Pay close attention to Super Bowl championships, appearances, and overall playoff records.

Sean Payton

Since winning the Super Bowl in 2009, Payton has a 5-7 playoff record (including 2020)
4 wins in 9 appearances prior to 2020
9-8 overall playoff record
Qualified for playoff 9/14 seasons (Same as Tomlin)
1 Super Bowl win and appearance
Note: suspended from coaching for the 2012 season due to “Bountygate”

John Harbaugh

Harbaugh has only 2 playoff wins in the last 8 seasons since winning Super Bowl XLVII
Like Tomlin, Harbaugh inherited Hall of Fame players such as Ed Reed and Ray Lewis on his Super Bowl winning team
Despite winning 14 games and having the NFL MVP as his quarterback, the Ravens failed to win a playoff game in 2019, exiting early
Total of 4 postseason appearances in the last 8 seasons
11-8 overall playoff record
1 Super Bowl win and appearance

Pete Carroll

3 playoff wins in last 6 seasons
10-8 overall playoff record (with Seattle – 11-10 overall including stint with New England)
1 playoff win in last 4 seasons (3 appearances, 2 early exits)
2 Super Bowl appearances
1 Super Bowl win

Dan Reeves

Winless in first 5 seasons
5 wins in his last 14 seasons (split between 2 teams)
Never won a Super Bowl

Tom Landry

1 win in first 10 seasons with the Cowboys
20-16 overall playoff record (29 years coaching)
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (Five appearances)
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Dungy

2 wins in his first 7 seasons
6 winless postseasons
9-10 overall playoff record
1 Super Bowl win and appearance
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Bill Belichick

With the Cleveland Browns, Belichick had 1 playoff win in 5 seasons
Missed postseason four times in 21 seasons with New England
Six-Time Super Bowl Champion (Nine appearances i.e. three losses)

Bill Parcells

Following his 1989 Super Bowl victory, Parcells had a total of 3 wins in 11 seasons (multiple teams)
11-8 overall playoff record
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (Three appearances)
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame