Coaches in all sports tend to have doghouses, at least that’s what you hear from the outside.
Players make mistakes, on and off the playing surface, and can land in the proverbial doghouse, losing playing time and being their role diminish.
It doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen across all the major sports. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is no different. He’s been on the job in Pittsburgh for 18 seasons, and he’s had his fair share of challenging players and situations. He’s labeled a player’s coach, one that players love to play for.
But he does have a demanding side of his coaching style, and will hold his players accountable. Even when that lands them in the doghouse. Speaking with Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola Sunday morning ahead of the Week 10 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Tomlin admitted he has a doghouse.
And unlike some coaches, there may be no way of getting back out of that doghouse for players.
“I certainly do,” Tomlin admitted when asked if he has a doghouse. “I don’t necessarily know that I have any hard-and-fast, black-and-white guidelines in terms of what constitutes what puts someone in the doghouse. I just know when I’m there.”
Coach Mike Tomlin talks about the #Steelers defensive performance vs. Indy; how Rodgers and Ramsey differ from their reputations; in and out of the doghouse; the Harbaugh brothers; WR Keenan Allen.https://t.co/p2qU0uboes
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) November 9, 2025
Having any sort of hard-and-fast, black-and-white guideline for when or how a player gets into the doghouse would be pointless, because all situations are different. So the fact that Tomlin just rolls with it and knows when he’s there makes a great deal of sense.
He has a good pulse for situations, especially inside the locker room and the four walls of the facility. It’s what has allowed him to remain in Pittsburgh for so long and continue to have consistent regular season success, even with all of the names and faces changing.
Tomlin can be blunt, too. He won’t hide things from players. What guys love about him is that he’s transparent and tells it like it is, much like he did Tuesday when he called second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson’s fumble late against the Colts “bone-headed.”
That comment shouldn’t be a surprise to Wilson, who probably heard worse behind the scenes in the team meeting, and in the receiver room.
It was a major mistake by a young player who has had limited playing time this season. That doesn’t mean he’s going to land in Tomlin’s doghouse, though.
In the past, names like Eli Rogers, Ross Cockrell, Chase Claypool and most recently former undrafted free agent receiver Roc Taylor landed in Tomlin’s doghouse. All were then out the door shortly thereafter.
For Tomlin, there’s no real way a player gets out of that doghouse.
“I don’t know that he does, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “I was told long ago that once a player shows you who he is, believe him. And so if I’m at that point, I don’t know that there is (a way out).”
Of course, Tomlin has said time and time again that he treats players fairly, but not equally. Talent will win out in the end. He gave Antonio Brown a lot of rope when it came to his behavior, especially late in his Steelers tenure. That’s because Brown was the best receiver in football.
But for those other names mentioned, they weren’t exactly moving the needle, and then they were out the door. Taylor was the most recent, reportedly getting into Tomlin’s doghouse during the joint practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then, a few days later Taylor was waived and sent packing.
It can happen quickly in this business. Tomlin has a job to do leading the Steelers, and he doesn’t have time toe for stuff that puts players in hot water and frustrates him.
It’s good to know he has a doghouse. Now, it’s just about staying out of it for players because once you enter, there may be no getting out.
Recommended for you