When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike Tomlin as head coach, the team was undergoing a major transition. Tomlin was stepping into the shoes of Bill Cowher, a beloved figure in Pittsburgh who had established a deep bond with the players over 15 seasons. Tomlin’s arrival marked a shift in leadership style that didn’t sit well with some of the team’s seasoned veterans.
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Steelers' LaMarr Woodley and Mike Tomlin talk on the sidelines during Super Bowl XLIII.
Known for his demanding and no-nonsense approach, Tomlin quickly put his stamp on the team, but this intense style was initially met with skepticism by players who were loyal to Cowher and his more familiar methods.
LaMarr Woodley, who joined the Steelers in Tomlin’s first season, recently shared insights into this rocky adjustment period on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. Woodley revealed that many veterans were frustrated with Tomlin’s approach, finding it difficult to trust and connect with a young, first-time head coach.
According to Woodley, the veterans weren’t shy about voicing their dissatisfaction, making it clear they weren’t sold on Tomlin’s vision or methods. This early resistance created tension within the team, as players grappled with the shift in leadership style and expectations that came with Tomlin’s arrival.
"Coach Tomlin the first year it was great, at least for me it was," Woodley said. "A lot of the veteran guys, they didn’t like the way that he ran practice. I guess training camp was a little harder and practice was a little harder."
Woodley went on to share details of what the veterans would say during practice, expressing their frustration with Tomlin's style. For Woodley, a rookie at the time, it was fascinating to hear their complaints since he was experiencing it all for the first time.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin chats with Cam Heyward during practice.
The primary gripe among the veterans was that Tomlin’s coaching style demanded a level of intensity and effort that they hadn’t encountered under Cowher.
"I used to sit over there just to hear what the f*** they had to say," Woodley said. "They were like, 'Man, this motherfu****.’' They were mad how he was running practice. They were always saying that Coach Cowher didn’t do it this way."
Despite the initial friction, Tomlin's commitment to his principles eventually won over the locker room. Over time, the players grew to appreciate his intensity, dedication, and unwavering focus on team success, which would lay the foundation for his enduring respect within the league.
"That first year, he was getting the team together, but I wouldn’t say people was against them because they still loved him," Woodley said. "He just overworked us and he had to because he was a new coach and he had to come put his foot down."
Today, Tomlin is celebrated not only by his own players but by athletes across the NFL who admire his unwavering leadership and character. Woodley’s story sheds light on a turbulent but defining chapter in Tomlin’s early career—a reminder that even the most respected leaders often face resistance before earning true loyalty and admiration.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Was Born To Lead
Listening to Woodley’s account of Tomlin's first season as head coach is fascinating. Great leaders frequently face pushback early on because they challenge the status quo and set a high bar for dedication that not everyone wants to meet. The best coaches aren't afraid to make players uncomfortable because they believe in their vision and understand that true growth requires accountability and discipline.
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Head Coach Mike Tomlin and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrate on the sidelines during a Pittsburgh Steelers' game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tomlin held fast to his approach, refusing to give the veterans an easy path or allow them to influence his decisions. This conviction has paid off; in 17 seasons, Tomlin has never had a losing record.
He wasn’t going to let himself be pushed around, and this resilience laid the foundation for the legendary coach he’s become. Today, it’s safe to say that Tomlin’s players love playing for him, and his reputation as one of the NFL's most respected coaches is well-earned.
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