Mike Tomlin spent a number of years coaching at the college level at places like VMI, Memphis, Arkansas State (on both sides of the ball, working with the wide receivers first and then defensive backs), and then Cincinnati before making the jump to the NFL and never looking back.
The Steelers head coach spent a number of seasons on Jon Gruden's staff in Tampa Bay coaching the defensive backs before getting hired as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. He spent one year there before landing the head coaching job with the Steelers, where he took over for the iconic Bill Cowher, who spent 15 years leading the franchise.
Since taking over the Steelers in 2007, Tomlin is 116-60 winning double-digit games in all but three seasons with a Super Bowl title in 2008.
Bottom line, Tomlin learned under some top-notch coaches, has some great experience, and was tabbed with leading one of the most storied franchises in sports for a reason.
Here, in this clip (where he appears to be talking to a group of kids), Tomlin shares some great advice that relates just as much to his NFL players as it does to high school and college guys.
Tomlin starts off by asking how many people in the room, but a show of hands, think they're fast. Then he asks how many of them think they're big jumpers. And finally he asks how many think they're pretty strong.
"Great. None of that matters," he shares as you can hear people chuckling in the background. "None of it matters.
"Hear me. Hear me. It's not what you're capable of. It's what you're willing to do."
"I know plenty of people that are capable. But I know fewer that are willing."
See that full moment from Tomlin below.