The Cook & Joe Show

What a week! It started with hopes for a Super Bowl run and it ends with the Steelers interviewing candidates for their next head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey, Donny Football, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, January 16th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Art Rooney II said Mike stepped down for family reasons, but Mike told the team he wants it to be better for them to win. Tomlin was basically saying he couldn't get it done for the team. Mark Kaboly didn't see signs of burnout. The Steelers are going to interview Nate Scheelhaase, Chris Shula, and Jeff Hafley in the next two days. Steelers need to hire the RIGHT coach not just one that fits their build as a defensive coordinator.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Ray Fittipaldo wonders how much the fire Tomlin chants, booing Renegade, and the lack of playoff wins wore on Tomlin. There are no goodbye sendoffs like Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher to say goodbye. Ray thinks there's a 50% chance that Cam Heyward retires. Tomlin told the team it was a football decision, but Art said it was a family decision for Tomlin.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: This week's bet against Nick Kostos - Joe and Donny think the Texans are going to beat the Patriots. Nick loves the Patriots and Drake Maye. Nick thinks it's a no-brainer to hire Brian Flores as the head coach. MLB needs to have a salary cap and floor with ANOTHER example with Tucker and Dodgers. Mike Tomlin received a standing ovation from Steelers players in the team meeting.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Packers reporter Dominique Yates of the Journal Sentinel in Wisconsin joined the show. Packers DC Jeff Hafley is interviewing with the Steelers this weekend for head coach. Both Hafley and Parsons being injured contributed to the Packers defensive struggles late in the season. "I wouldn't be shocked" if LeFleur ended up somewhere else but the best bet is to stay in Green Bay. National Championship and NFL second-round playoff picks!

Donny and Austin give their picks for the National Championship Game and the second round of the 2025 NFL playoffs!

Packers DC Jeff Hafley is interviewing with the Steelers this weekend for head coach. He coached Zay Flowers and AJ Dillon at Boston College. Hafley has been the DC for two years and is well loved by the players. Hafley has been the DC for two years and is well loved by the players. Could Matt LeFleur be available??

Kyle Tucker is signing for $60 million per year with the Dodgers. It is another sign of baseball economics being completely out of hand. Are other owners willing to shut this down? Danny Smith is interviewing in Tampa Bay for their special teams role. Mike Tomlin received a standing ovation from Steelers players after the team meeting when he walked away.

Nick Kostos loves the Patriots and Drake Maye against Houston. Nick likes the Bills. He thinks Aaron Rodgers is probably done, but everyone else wins by Mike Tomlin steeping down as head coach. Nick thinks it's a no-brainer to hire Brian Flores as the head coach. More defensive coaches are likely to be hired in this cycle.

Ray Fittipaldo thinks the new coach will have a say on if Cam Heyward comes back and gives it just a 50/50 chance. Ray thinks it's a real thing with Mike Tomlin gone. Cam Heyward was a Second-Team All-Pro. Tomlin is not going to say goodbye and hold a presser with the Steelers. That is sad to veer away from that tradition that was set by Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll.

Ray Fittipaldo wonders how much the fire Tomlin chants, booing Renegade, and the lack of playoff wins wore on Tomlin. Ray thinks it's too early to tell, but the Rooney's are intrigued by the McVay/Shanahan trees. Ray thinks there's a 50% chance that Cam Heyward retires.

Tim Benz thinks the Steelers need to find the right coach, not someone that fits their type as a defensive coordinator like Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. Ryan Fitzpatrick questioned what type of Brian Flores NFL teams could be getting because his philosophy changed during his tenure and "became unrecognizable."

Donny shares how he broke the news to Poni and Mueller that Mike Tomlin stepped down. Art Rooney II said Mike stepped down for family reasons, but Mike told the team he wants it to be better for them to win. Tomlin was basically saying he couldn't get it done for the team. The Steelers are going to interview Nate Sheelhaase, Chris Shula, and Jeff Hafley in the next two days.

The Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey (10:45-2PM), and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, January 15th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Tyler Kennedy: The Penguins need young players to step up and be the difference in one-goal games. Rick Tocchet comes back to Pittsburgh as the Flyers head coach. Tyler Kennedy shares his favorite Penguins-Flyers memories. Joe had to get a drug test before he could start his new job at the Trib. Joe never even got the test!

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers are going to interview Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Sheelhaase, and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Chris Hoke on the coaching search, Mike Tomlin, and players to move on. Should Steelers hire a former head coach as their head coach??

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Former RMU basketball player Markeese Hastings is one of 15 players facing charges in a point-shaving scandal. Joe thinks the Raiders job, with the No. 1 pick, is a better job than the Steelers. Mike Tomlin had a huge hand in personnel and the draft. He drafted Kenny Pickett and brought in Matt Canada, Russell Wilson, and others. It significantly set the Steelers back.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Mike Tomlin did a poor job the last 10 years of drafting players in the first round. Frank thinks the Steelers should hire an offensive head coach. Chris Shula as the head coach and Nate Sheelhaase could make sense. Penguins host the Flyers tonight. Who should be the Steelers quarterback next season?

Penguins host the Flyers tonight. Joe thinks that Bryan Rust should be on the U.S. Olympic team. Mike Sullivan is struggling with the Rangers. Who should be the Steelers quarterback next season?

Viral social media sports analyst Frank Michael Smith joined the show. Frank pointed out that only one of the last 12 first round picks have received a long-term deal. Mike Tomlin claims responsibility for the Steelers roster. Chris Shula as the head coach and Nate Sheelhaase could make sense.

Mike Tomlin had a huge hand in personnel and the draft. He drafted Kenny Pickett and brought in Matt Canada, Russell Wilson, and others. Peter King always thought Mike Tomlin got the most out of rosters, but he's formed the rosters. Frank Michael Smith pointed out that only one of the last 12 first round picks have received a long-term deal.

Former RMU basketball player Markeese Hastings is one of 15 players facing charges in a point-shaving scandal through the country. What can be done to stop this?? Joe thinks the Raiders job, with the No. 1 pick, is a better job than the Steelers.

Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette said the Steelers are absolutely not going to hire a coach who has formally been a head coach. Why should a former head coach automatically be eliminated? The Steelers are interviewing Brian Flores. 16 of the last 25 Super Bowls have been won by coaches who were previously head coaches somewhere else!

Hokie was taken back by Mike Tomlin stepping down after 19 years and knows Mike Tomlin as a man and loves him after winning a championship with him. Hokie thinks the fire Tomlin chants impacted Tomlin and his family. Hokie thinks a defensive coach and a great offensive mind is a good model. Hokie would trade T.J. Watt for the right package! He would not bring back Jalen Ramsey.

Tyler Kennedy shares his favorite Penguins-Flyers memories. Bob is intrigued by goalie fights. TK thought when Max Talbot went to Philadelphia that he was for sure going to fight him. TK remembers all the signs that Flyers fans made to taunt Sidney Crosby. Joe Starkey arrives after going to get a drug test, but never got his drug test.

The Penguins need young players like Ben Kindel and others to step up and be the difference in one-goal games. This game against the Flyers is going to mean a lot more than just two points. Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha need to create havoc around the blue paint.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Joe Starkey and Bob Pompeani react to Mike Tomlin stepping away as Steelers head coach. The seven game playoff losing streak defined Mike Tomlin's final decade with the Steelers. Bob sensed that Mike Tomlin needed a break and thinks that Tomlin did this on his own. Bob thinks that Tomlin was thinking about this for some time. Mike Tomlin stepping down is one of the biggest sports history in all of Pittsburgh sports history.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Josina Anderson reported that Mike Tomlin has been contemplating leaving Pittsburgh since before the start of the season. She also said there's been a belief that Tomlin hasn't felt appreciated in the city. Mark Kaboly didn't really see anything different with Mike Tomlin compared to 10 years ago. He didn't think Tomlin was burned out. How attractive is the Steelers head coaching job?

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Art Rooney II said he wasn't shocked that Mike Tomlin walked away, but was surprised by the conversation he had with Tomlin on Tuesday. Tomlin gave no indication to Art that he wants to coach again in the near future. Art was willing to take another run at it and expected to talk to Tomlin about it on Tuesday before Tomlin said that he is stepping down.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: It doesn't have to be a defensive coach. Art is looking for leadership No. 1. Tomlin said he wants to spend time with his family and it "isn't on his radar" to coach in the NFL in the near future. The next Steelers head coach will have significant say in personnel and the draft like Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin.

Art Rooney II doesn't want to change the structure or chain of command. The next Steelers head coach will have significant say in personnel and the draft like Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin. Marcus Freeman is staying at Notre Dame. Art shares what he cares for in the search!

Mike Tomlin blew them away with his interview and they changed their mind at the last minute to give the job to Mike and not to Russ Grimm. Tomlin said he wants to spend time with his family and it "isn't on his radar" to coach in the NFL in the near future. Art Rooney II said none of the other staff members are in the running to be the head coach, but some could stay.

Will the Steelers go after a young defensive coordinator? Art Rooney II said the search will take weeks. We hear Art Rooney's comments. Art said it was an emotional day for the franchise and Mike Tomlin led with toughness and integrity as a great representative for the Steelers. Omar Khan and Art Rooney II will lead the Steelers coaching search.

Art Rooney II said he wasn't shocked that Mike Tomlin walked away, but was surprised by the conversation he had with Tomlin on Tuesday. Tomlin gave no indication to Art that he wants to coach again in the near future. It feels like the Aaron Rodgers era is over.

Joe isn't sure it's a good job. Bob thinks it's still a very good job. The Steelers don't have a quarterback and aren't in position to draft a great one. The roster is aging. It's not a rebuild, either.

Josina Anderson reported that Mike Tomlin has been contemplating leaving Pittsburgh since before the start of the season. Mark didn't really see anything different with Mike Tomlin compared to 10 years ago. He didn't think Tomlin was burned out. Mark doesn't get the feeling that Tomlin was pushed out.

Donny announcing that Mike Tomlin is stepping down live on the station marks a historic day in Pittsburgh sports history. Is this the biggest breaking news story in 93.7 The Fan history? The most surprising stories in Pittsburgh sports. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Joe Starkey and Bob Pompeani react to Mike Tomlin stepping away as Steelers head coach. The seven game playoff losing streak defined Mike Tomlin's final decade with the Steelers. Bob sensed that Mike Tomlin needed a break and thinks that Tomlin did this on his own. Art Rooney II will address the media at noon.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, January 13th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: The Steelers were crushed in a playoff game AGAIN. Joe believes it's time for the Steelers to move on from Mike Tomlin. Tom Pelissero said that if the Steelers are going to move on, it's Mike Tomlin going to the Steelers and saying that he wants to move on. Rodgers doesn't think there would be a discussion about Mike Tomlin being fired when he entered the league in 2005.