Steelers' Mike Tomlin Dubbed Winner of In-Season 'Hard Knocks' Episode 1

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin won over fans in Hard Knocks. | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Mike Tomlin has long been known as a successful head coach. Over his 18 seasons at the helm for Pittsburgh, he's compiled 182-102-2 record and has never finished a year with a losing season. The 52-year-old is a Super Bowl champion and has led his Steelers to the playoffs 11 times.

Tomlin is also known as a coach that players both love to play for and can relate to. He's shown an innate ability over his career to motivate and get the most out of his teams year in and year out.

That side of Tomlin was on full display during episode one of HBO's Hard Knocks: In-Season With the AFC North, and NFL fans loved it. Check out the reactions across social media on Tuesday night:

A special relationship with his players 🫂#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/kT50NmV3lw
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 4, 2024

Winner of Hard Knocks tonight.. Mike Tomlin https://t.co/DmI457SyE2
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) December 4, 2024

Russell Wilson and Mike Tomlin after Wilson's scramble drill TD to Pat Freiermuth. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Z0KxkQ80T7
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 4, 2024

Watching AFC hard knocks, I’d run through a brick wall for Mike Tomlin and have a cup of tea with Zac Taylor
— JT (@jtmaio) December 4, 2024

This is why I love him

Mike Tomlin to George Pickens after the pick six:

“I need you to stay with me. This shit ain’t gonna decide the outcome of the game.”#steelers pic.twitter.com/cVmxhPndcB
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) December 4, 2024

Every company should hire Mike Tomlin to talk to employees. Idc the topic. Just let that man cook in front of an audience.

Guarantee production would go way up 😂
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) December 4, 2024

I could watch this clip of Mike Tomlin celebrating the Herbig strip sack touchdown he coached him up for on loop all night. pic.twitter.com/sW9f0msh7Z
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 4, 2024

Tomlin told George Pickens not to let the early interception (and missed illegal contact) define him during the infamous hug moment:

“This shit ain’t gonna decide the outcome of the game. Look at me! You alright?”

Pickens:

“Yes sir.” pic.twitter.com/gYFhZOo2Si
— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) December 4, 2024

There’s something so poetic about watching Mike Tomlin watch film while he eats Fritos
— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) December 4, 2024

Hard Knocks was pretty cool.

Glad people are getting to see the version of Mike Tomlin that we see every day at practice and not just the one at the podium on Tuesdays.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) December 4, 2024

Tomlin has the Steelers at 9–3 and in first place in the AFC North on the 2024 season. They'll face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium.