Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers' Mike Tomlin once again linked with USC job?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/25/21

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are among the recognizable names who have been linked with the USC Trojans, a program that parted ways with head coach Clay Helton last month.

Insider Doug Whaley recently told Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could be an option for USC:

Doug Whaley just said on our show he could see Mike Tomlin leaving the Steelers for LSU or USC.
Laid out how Tomlin would be the CEO of those programs, how his message resonates better and how transition now makes sense because of Roethlisberger on way out.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 20, 2021

Former NFL and USC quarterback Carson Palmer told the "Dan Patrick Show" on Monday that Tomlin is among names being discussed by USC:

Carson Palmer has been included in conversations surrounding #USC next Head Football Coach and he says #Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is a name that could be in the mix. pic.twitter.com/GJpar0cZUy
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) October 25, 2021

For what it's worth, Pittsburgh radio personality Adam Crowley recently poured cold water over the notion that Tomlin would leave the Steelers for a college gig:

Mike Tomlin has bullet proof job security in Pittsburgh. But I’m sure he wants to work more and spend countless hours eating meatloaf in random peoples living rooms making pitches for their kids to attend his school. https://t.co/rBvPU14pYu
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) October 20, 2021

Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has also scoffed at the idea Tomlin would head to the college game.

As has been pointed out, however, the Steelers are about to hit a figurative reset button whenever 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rides off into the sunset, so it's possible now would be an ideal time for Tomlin to embrace a fresh start and a new challenge at USC. Pittsburgh recently won two straight games to get to 3-3 ahead of the bye, so logic suggests Tomlin is more concerned with trying to topple the Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday than he is with where he'll be working come winter.

More must-reads: