Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was at the North Carolina Central University men's basketball game against Morgan State on Monday night. Tomlin was in attendance to support his close friend LeVelle Moton, who's the head coach of NCCU.
"Big bro called yesterday morning and said "I'm in town, and I'm coming to support and Fellowship". Truly grateful for this guy! The Best in the Business!!!" Moton wrote on X along with posting clips of Tomlin at the game.
Mike and Kiya Tomlin gave a generous donation and contributio n to the North Carolina Central University men's basketball program in July. Moton and Mike Tomlin have been close friends for several years. The two met through Arkansas men's basketball head coach and Pittsburgh native John Calipari.
During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show at Super Bowl radio row, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports provided some insight on Tomlin's future. No one in the media has a closer relationship to Tomlin than Glazer.
Glazer revealed that Tomlin is just enjoying time with his family after a 19-year run as the Steelers' head coach. He doesn't see Tomlin coaching anytime soon.
"I talked to him (Tuesday). He is happy being a dad. And he wants to get himself healthy," Glazer said. "Now let's see what happens in a year, two, three. Right now, his mindset, 'I'm done.'"
Glazer added ( during a visit to the "Nightcap" podcast ) that Tomlin told him and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber two years ago that he'd be done at the end of 2025 season.
"I think he's done," Glazer said about Tomlin's time as a coach. "He told me and Ronde Barber two years ago. He was like, 'Hey, this is my plan. You can't say this. Don't show my hand. I'm telling you, you're my guy.'
"Last year, I thought he was gonna hang it up. He decided one more. I thought he was gonna be done, so until it happens, it happens. But this year, kind of Week 8, I'm like, 'Hey man anybody that's gonna change your mind?' 'Nope.' Okay, I said, 'Can I report it this week?' 'Nope.'
"But in fairness, he said, 'I don't think it's fair if my players find out from you.'"
If he had to guess, Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward thinks Tomlin stepped down because he wants to spend more time with his family.
"i don't know. I've asked that question a lot (to) him and he's been pretty straight forward. I think one, he wants to spend time with his family," Heyward said. "I was just talking to him today about his daughter Harly, who's killing it at UGA right now (on the women's gymnastics team). You don't know how much you've been away until you come back into the picture. That is big. Nineteen years with one team is not like an abrupt thing. But, not a lot of people can say they've had that kind of stability."
Heyward is unsure if Tomlin is done for good as a coach.
"Selfishly, I would be like he's probably coached his last game because I would be like, 'Damn, I want to keep playing for that head coach,'" Heyward said. "You look at that glow he's got in the offseason just supporting his family, that's hard to pass up. And true happiness, I don't think he has to go looking for a job. I think he's set, but you never know, that hunger he has for the game is very apparent and you know how much he cares about his players, coaches and what he wants to do out on that field."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Mike Tomlin Supports Close Friend at College Basketball Game
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