The "Stellers" just inked Coach Tomlin to an extra couple of years on his contract. This will ensure that the team gets blacker (if that's possible) and will slide into the abyss of mediocrity.
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<H1 property="dc:title">Steelers sign Tomlin through 2012, with option</H1>
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Jul 23, 4:23 pm EDT
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<DIV ="ymsb ymsb-facebook ymsb-retweet ymsb-mail ymsb-print">PITTSBURGH (AP)â€"The
Pittsburgh Steelers have signed coach Mike Tomlin to a two-year contract extension through the 2012 season, with an option year in 2013.
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The extension was expected because the Steelers' policy has been to sign a coach before he begins the final season of a contract. Tomlin is only the Steelers' third coach since 1969, following Chuck Noll (1969-91) and Bill Cowher (1992-2006).
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Tomlin is 31-17 in three seasons, with two division titles, an AFC championship and a Super Bowl victory. During the 2008 season, he became the youngest coachâ€"he was 36â€"to win the Super Bowl when the Steelers beat Arizona 27-23.
"Mike Tomlin has proven to be one of the top head coaches in the National Football League in a relatively short time,"Â Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. "His unique ability to lead the team and motivate individuals have been key factors in our success."Â
The Steelers were 9-7 and missed the playoffs last season. They open training camp July 30 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported July 13 that Tomlin had signed a three-year extension through the 2014 season.
Tomlin made an average of $2.5 million per season under the contract he signed upon succeeding Cowher in January 2007. His new contract is expected to at least double that.