Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Mike Tomlin has always done things fast, whether it was running pass routes for William & Mary, or working his way quickly up the coaching ranks in the NFL.

When the 36-year-old Tomlin directed his Pittsburgh Steelers to the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 18, he became the youngest head coach ever to reach the Super Bowl. Just the 10th African-American head coach in NFL history, Tomlin is now the third to reach the Super Bowl.

But none of Tomlin's speedy success has come as a surprise to those who knew him during his days at William & Mary.

"When he became a defensive coordinator in the NFL, I knew it was just a matter of time before he became a head coach," said Jimmye Laycock, who is beginning his 29th year as William & Mary's head coach. "He is very smart and he has a great personality."

Laycock became accustomed to Tomlin's work ethic very quickly at William & Mary.

"He was a good receiver on some very good teams," said Laycock. "He got better every year."

Tomlin came into a Tribe program that was rebuilding following a trip to the 1990 NCAA quarterfinals. After William & Mary finished 5-6 his freshman year, the Tribe rebounded to go 9-2, 9-3 and 8-3 over the next three seasons, winning Yankee Conference titles in 1993-94.

And a large part of the chemistry of those clubs was Tomlin, who rose to become the team's offensive captain by the time he was a senior. A three-year starter, Tomlin finished his Tribe career with 101 receptions for 2,046 yards and a school-record 20 touchdown receptions.

Tomlin earned second-team All-Yankee Conference honors in 1994 and established a school record that year with a 20.2 yards-per-catch average.

"The biggest thing I remember about his time here was how positive and up-beat he always was," Laycock said. "He really enjoyed his time here and he always tells me how much he appreciated the lessons he learned here."

Tomlin studied sociology at William & Mary, a major that helped prepare the future NFL coach for dealing with people.

After graduating in 1995, Tomlin joined Bill Stewart's staff at VMI as a wide receivers coach. The Keydets had won just two games in the previous two seasons, but they improved to 4-7 that year.

Tomlin moved on to Memphis, Arkansas State, Tennessee-Martin and Cincinnati before Tony Dungy hired him as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. The next season, Tomlin was on the staff that guided the Bucs to a Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders.

He got a bigger NFL break when Brad Childress asked Tomlin to become the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2006.

Pete Clawson, William & Mary's assistant athletic director for media relations, related how a friend who worked for the Vikings was quick to tell him how impressive Tomlin had been in his job interview.

"He called me after Mike interviewed for the defensive coordinator's job and told me 'This guy is going to be a head coach real soon.'"

Among the players he was now coaching was safety Darren Sharper, who had been one of Tomlin's teammates at William & Mary. A couple of other Vikings players were actually older than Tomlin, but the then-34-year-old coach quickly earned the respect of the defensive unit with his work ethic and consistent approach.

Minnesota finished ranked eighth in the NFL in defense and was first against the rush in 2006, and Tomlin caught the eye of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, Jr., who was looking to replace Bill Cowher as head coach.

Upon his hiring, which came as a surprise in some circles due to Tomlin's youth and relative lack of name cachet, the new head coach established himself in a hurry, leading Pittsburgh to a 10-6 record and AFC North title. He became just the second coach in Steeler history to post a winning record, capture a division title and earn a playoff berth in his rookie season.

The Steelers ranked first defensively and third offensively in 2007, and Tomlin has built on that success this year, guiding Pittsburgh to a 12-4 regular-season record and a pair of playoff wins.

"He is very enthusiastic about being in coaching," said Laycock. "The things that make Mike a successful coach [are that] he is disciplined and he is consistent."

Despite his quick success, Tomlin has been extremely generous in his support of his alma mater. He has been on campus several times since becoming a head coach and served as the keynote speaker at the 2008 William & Mary commencement exercises.

"Whatever it is your heart's desire to do, you can do it," said Tomlin upon receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters. "Your experience here has sharpened your sword for battle. I encourage you to trust that preparation."

Tomlin also borrowed from his coaching philosophy as he addressed the new graduates.

"Life is more than the scoreboard, it is how you play" he explained. "We have to exhibit the honor, the integrity (and) the class that's indicative of a William & Mary alum."

Tomlin returned last June when William & Mary dedicated the new Jimmye Laycock Football Center, and took time to speak about his coaching mentor.

"I couldn't measure the impact (Coach Laycock) has had on me personally and professionally," Tomlin said.

Laycock is like a proud father when he talks about his former players, but it is easy to tell that he has a special place in his heart for Tomlin.

"Obviously, we're very proud of what Mike has accomplished," Laycock said. "And he's not anywhere close to being finished with what he is doing."