The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially announced the hiring of Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, following a verbal agreement reached on January 13, 2024. Art Rooney II, the team’s owner and president, highlighted McCarthy’s extensive experience and success in the NFL as key factors in the decision. The 62-year-old Pittsburgh native brings a wealth of knowledge, having previously led teams to significant victories, including a championship in Super Bowl XLV.
Rooney expressed confidence in McCarthy’s abilities, stating, “He has a longer track record than many of the other candidates, a winning track record.” He emphasized that McCarthy’s success with quarterbacks is particularly relevant, noting, “The quarterbacks that he’s worked with have all been very successful.” Rooney’s comments came in response to initial public skepticism from fans, many of whom voiced their concerns on social media platforms after the announcement.
Despite the backlash, Rooney remained steadfast in his belief that the choice was made with the team’s best interests in mind. “We’re really not worried about winning the initial press conference,” he said. “It’s about picking the coach we believe will help us win games.” He conveyed optimism about McCarthy’s potential to usher in a new era of success for the franchise, asserting, “We’re very excited. We think we have a coach who is well-equipped to lead us into the next winning phase of Steelers football.”
The decision to hire McCarthy followed a thorough search process, where the Steelers conducted in-person interviews with nine candidates. Among these, McCarthy stood out with a total of 310 games coached, making him the most experienced candidate in the pool. His prior tenures with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers provided him with invaluable insights into the rigors of leading an NFL team.
McCarthy’s hiring marks a departure from the Steelers’ recent coaching history, which has featured head coaches with defensive backgrounds. Notably, previous coaches Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher, and Chuck Noll were all under 38 years old at the time of their appointments. McCarthy, on the other hand, is not only the oldest head coach in Steelers history but also the third-oldest active head coach in the league.
While Rooney acknowledged McCarthy’s relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he clarified that the decision to hire McCarthy did not hinge on the possibility of Rodgers returning to the team. “We believe that he’s the right coach for us at this point to help lead us to a championship,” Rooney stated. He added that discussions regarding Rodgers’ future would take place in the coming weeks, emphasizing that the focus remains on McCarthy’s capabilities.
As the Steelers prepare for the 2026 season, they currently have only two quarterbacks under contract: veteran backup Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, a sixth-round pick from the 2025 draft. Rooney pointed out that McCarthy’s talent for developing quarterbacks was a crucial consideration in the hiring process. “We want a coach who’s going to lead the team to win a championship,” he noted, adding that McCarthy’s assessment of Howard’s potential played a significant role in the decision.
With the Steelers transitioning into a new chapter under McCarthy’s leadership, both the organization and its fans are watching closely to see how this change will impact the team’s future performance.
