By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA–For the first time since 2007 and only the 4th time since 1968, the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired a new head coach. And for only the second time in their history he will have local roots as the Steelers officially hired Greenfield’s Mike McCarthy as the 17th head coach in their history.
“I thought I would at least be able to get started [emotional]. Oftentimes, coaches and players, you put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in those new colors,” said McCarthy, “But to be blessed beyond any measure one day to put on the colors you wore since you brought home when you come home from Mercy Hospital.”
McCarthy 62 took a year off after coaching the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2024. He also had a successful campaign as the Green Bay Packers head coach from 2006-2018 in which he beat the Steelers in Super Bowl 45 in the 2010 season. One of the players on those teams was veteran QB Aaron Rodgers, who was the Steelers QB in 2025.
“I want to thank Art Rooney, Omar Khan, Dan Rooney and the entire Steelers organization for the trust they’ve placed in me to represent one of the most storied franchises in all of sports,” said McCarthy. “I understand and embrace the responsibility and the privilege and the weight that comes with this stewardship. This city, this franchise, this fan base means the world to me, because Pittsburgh’s my world, and it’s just awesome to be back here.”
McCarthy has a career regular season record of 174–112–2 and a 11–11 postseason mark and will take over a Steelers team coming off a 10–7 season and its first AFC North division title since 2020, though the franchise has not won a playoff game since 2016. He takes over from Mike Tomlin, who coached the Steelers from 2007-2025 and finished with a Regular season record of 193–114–2 and a Postseason record of 8–12 leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl 43 championship and an appearance in Super Bowl 45 in which his Steelers lost to McCarthy’s Packers 31-25.
“I do want to thank two men I’m very fortunate to call friends. Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher,” said McCarthy. “They represented this organization with such class, and I’m honored to follow in their footsteps.”
When asked about the possibility of Rodgers returning for the Steelers in 2026, McCarthy replied, “Definitely. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. But just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons, I think when players, to see Mel Blount here, when guys are up there at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress. The game is so emotional. With what these men commit to, what they put into it, I think that time away is important. I have spoken to Aaron. So that’s really where we are there. I was able to sit back and watch the games, watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
When McCarthy was asked about the Steelers roster, he replied, “I love the roster. I think it’s Omar’s [Khan] turn to talk here. I think it’s a roster that is fluid. I know in my head coaching years, how many players do we have returning on contract? Are we at 52? Are we at 61? 64? Frankly, the draft’s really important. Veteran free agency’s important. That group of men in these offseason programs, particularly, just being older, just being in the League, that time you have together, those men will move the needle, in my opinion, more than anybody else. It’s a great group of men, just based off the feedback. We all talk to each other, and so I’m really looking forward to moving the needle with those guys, and definitely we’ll add through free agency. We’ll add through the draft. Like I said, Mike Tomlin and Omar, they’ve left me with a lot to work with. I feel good about the direction.”
The 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers defense finished the season ranked roughly 17th in points allowed (387 total) and 26th in total yards allowed per game (356.9) LB Alex Highsmith led the team with 9.5 sacks and 7.5 from fellow LB Nick Herbig.
McCarthy replied about the Steelers defense, “I’m really excited about the defense. Great seeing Alex [Highsmith] here, because defense wins championships. The history of the Steelers defense and staying with the 3-4 is important, as far as the origin of it. That’s something we have to build off of. I’ve been a head coach for 18 years. I’ve had one top 5 defense, and we won the Super Bowl that year. The importance of defense is critical.”
Along with Rodgers, McCarthy has been known for developing quarterbacks. When asked about how he would balance winning now and finding that next franchise quarterback, McCarthy replied, “Well, I think you’re always developing the quarterback. I’ve been blessed to have great starters, particularly the last one Dak Prescott and Aaron [Rodgers] and Green Bay, Brett [Favre], but we’ve always approached it as the quarterback room because that second quarterback, third quarterback, they need to emulate the starter because that starter is dictating the rhythm and time and precision with the perimeter guys. I’m excited, and where I’m going with this, I’m really excited about Will Howard. I think he’s someone that I thought really came on there at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him.”
When asked if he planned on calling the plays on offense, McCarthy replied, “Definitely. I will call the plays on offense and obviously will run the offense. But these coaching staffs, it’s a bigger challenge each and every year. I think there’s more moving parts to it. But it’s been very fluid the last 48 hours.”
When asked about ending the playoff drought, McCarthy commented, “Honestly, I don’t think you can really look at it that way. You know, every season’s different. Every team you coach is different. Your beliefs and your standards and the culture you’re trying to create, you’re trying to move that forward. The most important thing about playoff football is staying in the playoffs. We’re not trying to get to the playoffs but doing the things to stay in the playoffs. Playoff football are the hardest games to win each and every year.”
The Steelers have their new head coach, and he will be ready to name his coaching staff and get ready for free agency, the NFL Draft and eventually training camp. McCarthy’s emotions and enthusiasm confirm that he is ready for it all again. “I’m looking forward to getting started tomorrow,” he said. “This game is about winning, and the game has changed. My first year in the NFL was 1993. The rules have changed. The way you train your team has changed. So those are things I’m focused on. I hope it lasts a very long time.”
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