Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is getting rave reviews for his work on NBC to the start of the season, and now he’s making a major HBCU move. According to a report by HBCU Gameday, Tomlin will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 North Carolina Central men’s basketball tip-off banquet. The event is scheduled for September 30th and will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the basketball program and support the team’s operations.
The appearance at the event rekindles a friendship that North Carolina Central head men’s basketball coach has had for years.
“I’m truly honored that someone so accomplished and a sure First Ballot Hall of Famer has blessed us with his presence for the night,” Moton said in a quote obtained by HBCU Gameday. “I’m grateful for our friendship and even more grateful that our university will benefit from his presence.”
This isn’t the first time that Moton and Tomlin collaborated. In 2024, they partnered on an initiative meant to help young men’s and women’s basketball coaches in minority communities network and gain opportunities.
“It’s not only a moral obligation, but a social responsibility to leave the game and our vocation better than we found it,” Tomlin said to ESPN at the time.
Moton also spoke to ESPN in 2024 about the partnership, saying, “[Tomlin] and I were talking about our careers, trajectory and challenges,” Moton said. “We noticed the landscape had changed because of the addition of search firms and hiring practices. Mike wanted to plant coaching seeds for trees that we’ll never see grow. So ‘Next Up’ was born to connect and familiarize Black and minority coaches with presidents, athletic directors, search firms and potential employers.”
