Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left), outside linebacker James Harrison (92) and offensive coordinator Todd Haley (right) celebrate a defensive stop against the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ex-Steelers OC Todd Haley defends Mike Tomlin: 'Who else you gonna get?'

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 5:17 PM ET

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has his ex- boss' back.

"In Mike T. I trust," Haley said Friday about longtime Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who's enduring criticism following a dreadful 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on "Thursday Night Football." Pittsburgh's defense, Tomlin's specialty, got shredded for 470 yards.

The loss dropped the first-place Steelers to 4-2. Haley served as Steelers offensive coordinator from 2012-17.

Haley, a broadcaster for SiriusXM, believes the Steelers are still in a comfortable spot and will get enough figured out to contend this season.

Haley will always support Tomlin

"If you're looking for a hot take, you're not going to get it from me. I am a huge believer in Mike Tomlin," Haley said when asked about Steelers fans who want Tomlin fired.

But at the same time, Haley is not immune to the conversation that's simmered in Pittsburgh for years — even dating to when he called the plays at the peak of the "Killer Bs" era with QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown and RB Le'Veon Bell from 2013-17.

"I've heard it. I heard when I was there. It's a rabid fan base that expects one thing, and that's Super Bowl trophies," he said. However, for Haley, it all comes down to his belief that Tomlin is still an elite coach who gets the most out of his players.

Haley believes Tomlin still has what it takes

"Mike Tomlin in this day and age [is] smart, knows defense, knows offense, knows how to get the most out of each and every player... and coach, which is just as important as getting it out of the players," Haley said.

Haley then offered the common response of those who have defended Tomlin over the years: "Who else you gonna get?"

Regardless, whenever Tomlin ends his Steelers tenure, one that will likely only end on his own accord and never with him being fired, Haley feels his resume warrants a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Now in his 19th season in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has a 187-109-2 record for a .631 win percentage, seven division titles, two conference championships and a Super Bowl win. But his detractors will always bring up his 8-11 playoff record and his drought without a postseason win — the last Pittsburgh playoff victory came with Haley on Tomlin's staff during the 2016 season.

All quotes original unless otherwise noted.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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