Gus Bradley got his first gig in the NFL in 2006 as a quality control assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers' defensive coaching staff underwent some turnover that offseason – three longtime assistants and future NFL head coaches were hired away.

Rod Marinelli became the Detroit Lions' head coach. Raheem Morris went to Kansas State to be the Wildcats' defensive coordinator. And the Buccaneers' defensive backs coach was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as defensive coordinator.

Mike Tomlin.

Bradley was hired as a grunt work guy to help fill out defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's coaching staff after a lengthy collegiate career at North Dakota State. And when he arrived in Tampa, he quickly learned the kind of impact Tomlin – who was hired by Tony Dungy in 2001 – made over his five seasons with the Buccaneers.

In the nearly two decades since he first learned what Tomlin's about, Bradley's appreciation for the now-longtime Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach has only grown.

"Back when I was in Tampa, I heard stories about Mike Tomlin and just how much of an impact he had with the DBs there during the Monte Kiffin era," Bradley said. "I think, there's a term consistency creates credibility, and he has been so consistent and his credibility throughout the league, and what coaches think of him, and what he's done with that with that organization is off the charts. So I think that's someone I hold in very, very high regard just because of things I heard about him in Tampa. And now having a chance to face him a couple times and just seeing what he's done as a head coach, I don't think it's – it's not surprising to anybody that was with him at Tampa to see the success that he's had."

Tomlin spent one year as the Vikings' defensive coordinator before the Steelers tapped him to replace Bill Cowher, who was been Pittsburgh's head coach from 1992-2006. Since assuming his post in 2007, Tomlin has never had a losing season – he's been .500 three time and had a winning record 14 times.

"Traditionally, they have that mentality to play like a Steeler," center Ryan Kelly said. "It's been that way for a long time, right? … They play the Steeler way. They play hard, they play physical. It's almost like no matter who's wearing that helmet, they play to a certain standard."

The 52-year-old Tomlin is 11th on the NFL all-time wins list with 176, and the sort of consistency, stability and success he's established in Pittsburgh – which has only had three coaches since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger – is revered among his peers.

That Tomlin's Steelers will roll into Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend with a 3-0 record, then, is no surprise to Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

"I think the culture he's created there, just over and over again – I don't think he's had a losing season there since he's been there," Steichen said. "That's a credit to him and what he's done and the players that they bring in to that organization. They've done a phenomenal job."

Thursday's practice report