Steelers' Mike Tomlin, NFL's longest-tenured head coach, stepping down after 19 seasons

The Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh is over.

The longest-tenured head coach in major American professional sports stepped down from his job leading the Steelers on Tuesday after yet another quick playoff exit.

The announcement came a day after the end of his 19th NFL season in Pittsburgh, where he was a relative unknown when he was hired to replace Bill Cowher in early 2007 before carving out his own Hall of Fame-worthy chapter in team history.

"I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador [Dan] Rooney for their trust and support," Tomlin said in a statement released by the team. "I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful."

Art Rooney II, who took over for his Hall of Fame father as team president in 2003, lauded Tomlin for his dedication to the franchise and his uncanny ability to churn out competitive teams year after year in an era when parity is the norm.

"It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin," Rooney said in a statement. "He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career. His track record of never having a losing season in 19 years will likely never be duplicated."

Tomlin won one Super Bowl and went to another during his first four seasons in Pittsburgh before the club settled into a pattern of solid if not always spectacular play followed by a playoff cameo that ended with the Steelers on the wrong side of a blowout.

The 53-year-old Tomlin won 193 regular-season games in Pittsburgh, tied with