Legacy of Bearcats Coach Influences NFL Careers

Cincinnati, OH – During a recent NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast, commentators Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth discussed the enduring legacy of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in the context of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The conversation highlighted Tomlin’s role as a defensive backs coach for the Bearcats, where he worked alongside head coach Rick Minter for two seasons. This experience proved crucial in shaping Tomlin’s future coaching career in the NFL.

Collinsworth emphasized Minter’s mentorship as a key factor that helped Tomlin ascend to the coaching staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ‘Rick’s guidance significantly influenced Mike’s coaching style,’ Collinsworth noted.

Today, Minter serves as a senior defensive analyst for the Los Angeles Chargers. His impact extends to his son, Jesse Minter, who has been the Chargers’ defensive coordinator since 2024. Growing up, Jesse admired Tomlin’s coaching from the sidelines, which influenced his own coaching philosophy.

This multi-generational connection showcases how the Bearcats’ program has profoundly affected the NFL, shaping coaching careers and methodologies over decades.