Outside linebacker James Harrison played 10 of 15 NFL seasons for then-head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since retiring in 2017, though, Harrison has been pretty outspoken when it comes to the Steelers and Tomlin. Now, with Tomlin resigning as head coach after 19 seasons, everyone, including Harrison, is talking about Tomlin’s legacy.
Harrison noted on a podcast with former Steelers teammate Joe Haden that Tomlin doesn’t have a coaching tree, which is why he’s not a Hall of Fame coach.
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“I can’t give him a Hall of Fame coach because he hasn’t made disciples yet,” Harrison said.
It’s a fair point, honestly. If Tomlin can turn more of his undefeated seasons into the playoffs, this might not be an issue. The reason Tomlin doesn’t develop coaches has always been because he wants assistants he can manage who will execute his scheme, rather than innovate and capitalize on his own vision.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers legend James Harrison says Mike Tomlin is not a HOF coach