Nearly ten years ago, when Sean McVay was appointed as the youngest head coach in modern NFL history, he might have thought he’d receive some valuable tips from seasoned coaches like Bill Belichick and Mike Tomlin.
However, instead of sage wisdom, Tomlin delivered a humorous and blunt warning that now, as McVay reaches the midpoint of his tenth season, feels quite prophetic.
Reflecting on the past during a press conference before the Los Angeles Rams’ upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals, McVay recounted a memorable phone call he got right after starting his role.
“I’ll never forget when Mike Tomlin first called me after I got this job,” McVay said. “He said, ‘Hey, congratulations,’ and all that.”
But then came an unexpected, and slightly bewildering, question.
“He says, ‘How’s that tube?’”
McVay was understandably perplexed. “I said, ‘What do you mean? What tube?’”
Tomlin’s answer quickly became legendary.
“He said, ‘That tube of s–t that never stops coming down over your head when you’re a head coach.’”
Welcome to the NFL, Sean. You’ve got your whistle, your playbook, and apparently, an industrial-strength umbrella, too.
Tomlin’s words have proven all too accurate. Just take a look at McVay’s recent experiences.
The Rams faced a crushing loss to the Bills, saw another opportunity slip away due to special teams mismanagement, and then learned that starting left tackle Alaric Jackson would be suspended for getting into a fight after the game.
Adding to the situation are ongoing injuries, instability with the kicker position, questions regarding special teams, and a tight schedule to prepare for their divisional rival—it’s clear that Tomlin’s infamous “tube” is working overtime.
The distinction between a good coach and a great one often lies not in evading chaos but in handling it without the whole team falling apart.
With two Super Bowl appearances already and a historic win under his belt, McVay grasps this reality better than many.
“Oh, it does. I mean, but that’s part of the deal,” he said when asked if the ongoing challenges weigh him down. “That’s why you’ve got a staff, and you’re always ready for the inevitable things that pop up.”
This week, McVay’s primary concern is less about how to outsmart his old friend and former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and more about keeping his team’s morale up and fixing the mistakes that have been costing them games.
