Tomlin to coach Steelers

PITTSBURGH – Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin accepted the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching job Sunday night and was working out a four-year deal he hoped to complete Monday, people close to the search told The Associated Press.

They requested anonymity because the Steelers have asked all parties involved in the search to not speak to reporters until they can make the announcement, which could come Monday or Tuesday.

Tomlin is expected to make around $2.5 million per year, the going rate of late for first-time NFL coaching hires. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher resigned Jan. 5 following 15 seasons after apparently rejecting a $6 million per year contract extension.

Tomlin’s hiring completed a frantic 2 1/2 -week search in which he was initially viewed as an unlikely choice behind perceived front-runners Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, only to land the job after impressing the Steelers with his motivation, intensity, knowledge of defense and enthusiasm.

“It’s humbling,” Tomlin said last week of being in the running to become only the third Steelers coach in 38 years. “These are great football people. I’ve got a great deal of respect for what they do and what they’ve done. It’s just a very humbling experience to be involved in but, at the same time, professional football is what I do and I’m a competitor like everyone else.”

The 34-year-old Tomlin, a defensive coordinator for only one season, was chosen over Grimm, the Steelers’ assistant head coach for three years and Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. The Steelers decided Sunday not to give Rivera a second interview because they couldn’t talk with him again until Feb. 5, the day after the Super Bowl.

Tomlin would become the first black coach in the Steelers’ 74-season history and the sixth in the NFL.