Once upon a time, a man named Bill was hired by a man named Dan to coach an NFL football team. One of Bill’s best pals, Tom, was the director of player personnel. The team was successful, everyone was making money, and everyone was happy.
As time went on, Bill became delirious because of this overwhelming success and sense of power. So much so that he wanted to have more power via having total control over player personnel decisions. This did not bode well for Bill’s friendship with Tom, who ultimately paid the price by being ousted from his position with the team.
After 14 years, despite his “play not to lose” methodology, the team won the ultimate prize, the Lombardi trophy. The following year, unfortunately for the team and for the fans, the bubble burst.

Does this story sound familiar?
Perhaps lackadaisical attitudes of the players did play a part in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ meltdown in the 2006 season. But not as much as you think.
We’ve heard the motorcycle accident and appendectomy stories ad nauseum. Ben Roethlisberger did indeed have difficulties, particularly mentally and emotionally…hell, when your life is in peril and you come close to “seeing the light,” that is an experience that will change anyone’s persona.
But it was ultimately Bill Cowher’s call as to when to bring Big Ben back into the starting lineup. Charlie Batch was capable of doing a more-than-acceptable job for a couple more games. There was absolutely no reason Ben should have been forced back as the Steelers’ starting quarterback other than Bill Cowher’s intention to throw the Steelers and Steeler Nation under the bus (no pun intended.)
Bill Cowher was in the last year of his contract in 2006. But there was one major difference between 2006 and when he was hired. Art Rooney II was in charge, not Dan Rooney. And guess who Art’s best friend was? You got it…Tom Donahue. Bill Cowher knew that he was never going to get the renewed contract he was looking for from Art. No longer did Cowher have the passion he once had; no longer did he pace the sidelines like a fire-breathing dragon. The responsibility for the let-down of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2006 season lies solely with Bill Cowher and his deliberate, spiteful actions (and non-actions.)

Jump forward to 2009 and Mike Tomlin’s post-Super Bowl interview. In summary, when Tomlin was asked about a repeat Super Bowl appearance for the next season, he made his position very clear. Reminiscent of Seals & Crofts, Tomlin, in essence, said that they would never pass that way again. The team in the locker room celebrating their triumph, at that precise moment, would never be together as the same, exact unit again. Once the exhilaration peaks then wanes, there is no looking back.

Any man that has the capability of keeping himself grounded in reality and self-discipline by making statements such as these would never allow his team to rest on their laurels or wallow in mediocrity.
So, if you’re worried that the Pittsburgh Steelers will replicate their performance from 2006 in 2009, shelve those worries away. Mike Tomlin will not tolerate it. And he would never let rancor or bitterness get in the way of leading his men with the eye of a tiger.