Almost a decade ago, when Sean McVay became the youngest head coach in modern NFL history, he probably expected some sage advice from the league’s established veteran head coaches like former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Steelers Mike Tomlin.

Instead, Tomlin issued a warning that was equal parts hilarious, profane and painfully prophetic.

Now midway through his 10th season as an NFL head coach, McVay is discovering just how right Tomlin was.

Speaking to reporters Thursday ahead of the Los Angeles Rams’ divisional showdown with the Arizona Cardinals, McVay recalled the unforgettable phone call he received shortly after taking the job.

“I’ll never forget when Mike Tomlin first called me after I got this job,” McVay said. “He said, ‘Hey, congratulations,’ all that stuff.”

Then came the question McVay wasn’t expecting.

“He says, ‘How’s that tube?’”

McVay was understandably confused.

“I said, ‘What do you mean? What tube?’”

Tomlin’s response was an instant classic.

“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. Here’s your whistle, your playbook and an industrial-strength umbrella.

Tomlin wasn’t kidding, either.

Just look at McVay’s last 72 hours.

His Rams suffered a gut-wrenching 37-34 overtime loss to Buffalo on Monday Night Football, watched another potential victory disappear amid special teams failures and then learned starting left tackle Alaric Jackson would be suspended for punching Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb after the game.

Throw in injuries, a revolving door at kicker, questions about special teams personnel and a short week to prepare for a division rival, and Tomlin’s infamous tube must be working overtime.

The difference between good coaches and great ones isn’t avoiding the chaos. It’s managing it without allowing the entire operation to collapse.

McVay, who has already reached two Super Bowls, and became the youngest head coach in history to ever win one, understands that better than most.

“Oh, it does. I mean, but that’s part of the deal,” McVay said when asked whether the constant challenges take a toll. “It’s why you’ve got a staff, and it’s one of those deals that you’re always ready for inevitable things to come up.”

For McVay, his biggest challenge this week is not how he’s going to defeat his old friend and former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals on Sunday. It’s keeping his locker room together and correcting the mistakes that keep costing his team games.

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