How the league or anyone else for that matter "regards" Tomlin is inconsequential when it comes down to the goal of every sport, every team. WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. If only we could find an objective metric to fully assess Tomlin's ability to hold on to a HC job in the NFL..... Oh, there's one.
The Bill Cowher-led Steelers went 7-9 in 1998, 6-10 in 1999, 9-7 in 2000, 6-10 in 2003, 8-8 in 2006. No Championships, no playoffs.
The 11-5 season in 1992? One and done in playoffs, no Championship.
The 12-4 season in 1994? Knocked out in divisional round, no Championship.
The 11-5 season in 1997? Knocked out in divisional round, no Championship.
The 13-3 season in 2001? Knocked out in divisional round, no Championship.
The 15-1 season in 2004? Knocked out in divisional round, no Championship.
Bill Cowher, total AFC Championships 2, Total SB victories 1.
Mike Tomlin, total AFC Championships 2, Total SB victories 1.
Cowher 15 years, .623 winning percentage.
Tomlin 15 years, .643 winning percentage.
How the **** is Cowher an all-time great, a legend and a well-deserved Hall of Famer, while Tomlin is a rat *******, good-for-nothing, loser coach the fan base wants to run out of town with pitchforks and torches?
What a strange, strange world we live in.