At a Glance
- Erik Spoelstra is now the longest-serving active head coach among the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
- Mike Tomlin’s 19-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers ended Tuesday.
- Spoelstra took over the Miami Heat in 2008 and says the milestone “bummed me out.”
Why it matters: Coaching stability is rare in major U.S. sports, and Spoelstra’s longevity highlights the Heat’s patient approach.
Erik Spoelstra never wanted the top spot on the tenure list. Yet with Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin stepping down after 19 seasons, the Miami Heat coach became the longest-serving active head coach across the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
Spoelstra, hired by Miami in 2008, learned the news Tuesday and immediately felt conflicted.
“That really bummed me out,” he said.
Spoelstra’s Reaction
Spoelstra praised Tomlin’s leadership and motivational style, saying his video staff has clipped Tomlin interviews for years.
“I just love everything he’s about. He’s a coach’s coach, super motivational in how he articulates his thoughts,” Spoelstra said before Miami hosted Phoenix.
Spoelstra already held the longest active tenure among NBA coaches after San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich retired last year. Tomlin’s exit leaves Spoelstra atop the list for all four major leagues.
Coaching Carousel
The coaching landscape shifted quickly this offseason. John Harbaugh’s 18-year run in Baltimore also ended, further shortening the list of long-tenured leaders.
Spoelstra expressed disappointment that more organizations don’t allow coaches to work through adversity.
“I wish I wasn’t the longest tenured,” he said. “Some people could look at that as a badge of honor. I look at that as really a disappointment to this profession, that there’s not more coaches that are given an opportunity to work through things.”
Who’s Left
Current longest active tenures by league:
- NFL: Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs, hired 2013
- NHL: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning, hired 2013
- MLB: Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays, hired 2014
Spoelstra’s 17-season streak with the Heat stands alone for now.
Heat Stability
Miami has kept Spoelstra through playoff misses, Finals runs and roster overhauls. He credits the organization’s patience for his growth.
Spoelstra said some of his biggest developmental leaps came after disappointing seasons, a luxury he wishes more coaches received.
Sarah L. Montgomery reported the story for News Of Philadelphia.
