“It’s crazy how quickly you can get used to chilling”: Mike Tomlin reveals the personal cost of being the NFL’s longest-tenured coach after missing family reunions since 1997

For nearly two decades, Mike Tomlin was synonymous with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sundays, game plans, locker rooms, and the heavy responsibility of leading one of the league’s most historic organizations defined his entire life.But stepping away from coaching in 2026 seems to have given Tomlin something he rarely had during his years on the sidelines: costly and valuable time.The former Steelers head coach has been blissfully enjoying his first extended break from the demands of coaching, and according to a clip shared by Josh Chambers on X, Tomlin opened up about how his personal time was lost in leading an NFL organization.“I’ve enjoyed 2026, man,” Tomlin said. “The free time, had an opportunity to really just focus on my wellness.”It is a revealing look at the other side of professional football - one that fans rarely get to see from a coach’s perspective, coaches who spend years living under the constant pressure of winning.Mike Tomlin’s long awaited time for himselfTomlin stepped away from the Steelers following the 2025 season, ending an impeccable 19-year run as the franchise’s head coach.He has since moved into broadcasting with NBC, joining the Football Night in America team for the 2026 season. Reportedly taking Chris Simms’ spot after Simms spoke about untouched Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini scandal.But away from the weekly grind of preparing an NFL team, Tomlin has apparently discovered just how much of his life had been consumed by the laborious job.Coaching is often described as a year-round profession, particularly at the NFL level. Even when games are not being played, there are meetings, scouting, roster decisions, travel, and preparations for the next challenge. Apart from the constant fear of being fired after a failed season.For Tomlin, the much-needed break has offered a rare opportunity to slow down.“Man, when you lead a football team and football organization, sometimes you put yourself last. So, it’s been good to kind of focus on some things like that and really just have time to be present with my family and friends,” Tomlin said.Steelers’ coach had a stunning family reunionPerhaps the most arresting detail from Tomlin’s self-reflection was his admission that he had not attended a family reunion since 1997. When he joined Arkansas State as wide receivers coach.That shocking revelation puts into perspective how long his professional responsibilities have shaped his hectic schedule and limited his personal life.Tomlin began his coaching career in the mid-1990s and spent years climbing through college football and NFL coaching jobs before becoming the Steelers’ head coach in 2007. By the time he stepped away from Pittsburgh, football had been at the central focus of his professional life for decades.His absence from family reunions for nearly three decades highlights the costly sacrifices that can come with a coaching career.“I went to a family reunion a couple of weeks ago. I hadn’t been to a family reunion since 1997. The family reunion is always the third week in July. Where have I been all of my adult life the third week in July? In a football camp. My family was laughing that I was there,” Tomlin said.Could time away make Mike Tomlin come back to coaching?The burning question, of course, is whether this newfound freedom will ultimately make Mike Tomlin want to return to coaching - or make him appreciate life away from the sideline even more.“It’s crazy how quickly you can get used to chilling! You know what I mean? I’ve enjoyed 2026, man, the free time. Had an opportunity to really just focus on my wellness and getting into shape and things of that nature,” Tomlin said.For now, Tomlin has publicly suggested that he is enjoying his new broadcasting chapter and has not indicated that he is rushing back into an NFL coaching job. He also said that he was enjoying the new camaraderie he developed with television.After spending almost two decades carrying the expectations of an NFL franchise, Tomlin’s 2026 may be less about football and more about rediscovering everything football forced him to put on hold. Like family, for instance.And after missing family reunions since 1997, that may be the most worthwhile part of his year away from coaching.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.