Steelers Appoint McCarthy as 17th Head Coach in Franchise History

Bassyonni

Published: January 27, 2026 2:41 PM ET

Steelers Appoint McCarthy as 17th Head Coach in Franchise History

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the appointment of Mike McCarthy as the 17th head coach in the franchise’s history. This decision follows his successful tenure with the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

McCarthy’s Coaching Legacy

Mike McCarthy brings a wealth of experience to the Steelers, having led teams to 12 postseason appearances and secured eight division titles. His teams have won six NFC North titles with the Packers and two NFC East titles with the Cowboys. Under his guidance, the Packers celebrated a Super Bowl XLV victory over the Steelers after the 2010 season.

General Manager’s Statement

Omar Khan, the Steelers’ General Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the hiring. He stated, “Mike is a proven leader with a championship resume and a clear vision for building a winning team.” Khan highlighted McCarthy’s experience and alignment with the values of the Steelers as key reasons for the decision.

Impressive Record and Achievements

10 wins in 11 seasons as a head coach.
Recorded 12-plus wins in six different seasons, ranking fourth in NFL history.
Second-most career wins in Packers’ history: 125 regular-season wins and 135 including postseason.

McCarthy is celebrated for his offensive mindset, as evidenced by multiple rankings of his teams. His offenses ranked in the top ten league-wide for passing yards 14 times, total offense 11 times, and scoring 12 times. Notably, he guided the NFL’s highest-scoring offense four times.

Quarterback Development

McCarthy has a reputation for developing successful quarterbacks. He has coached legends such as Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott. The quarterbacks he’s worked with have collectively earned 45 Pro Bowl selections and have participated in 10 Super Bowls.

During his tenure with the Packers, McCarthy had a fruitful partnership with Aaron Rodgers. Together, they achieved a record of 100 wins, 57 losses, and one tie. Rodgers amassed over 42,615 passing yards and 337 touchdowns while winning two MVP honors under McCarthy’s tutelage.

Coaching Journey

McCarthy began his NFL career in 1993 as a quality control assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has also served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, focusing on offensive coordination. Additionally, McCarthy has coached at the collegiate level, including a stint at the University of Pittsburgh.

Community Engagement

A graduate of Bishop Boyle High School in Homestead, Pennsylvania, McCarthy and his wife, Jessica, founded The McCarthy Family Foundation. The foundation supports various charities and projects across states such as Wisconsin, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.

Beneficiaries of the foundation include: