Pittsburgh Steelers officially hire Mike McCarthy as head coach

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Nick Geddes | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 4:58 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially hired Mike McCarthy as head coach, the franchise announced Saturday. The Pittsburgh native is replacing Mike Tomlin, who stepped down earlier this month after 19 seasons at the helm.

It’s a rare new era of Steelers football as this represents the franchise’s fourth head coaching hire since 1969. Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin all hoisted a Lombardi Trophy in Pittsburgh. Now, it will be McCarthy’s turn to take over the storied franchise.

McCarthy, 62, spent the 2024 season away from coaching following his departure from the Dallas Cowboys. He amassed a 49-35 overall record during his time at the helm from 2020-24. That includes three straight 12-win seasons from 2021-23, but Dallas went 7-10 in his final year at the helm. That also proved to be the end of his contract, and the franchise opted not to bring him back in 2025.

We have verbally agreed for Mike McCarthy to become our next head coach. pic.twitter.com/oOqZPRm7aX
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 24, 2026

Following his departure from the Cowboys, McCarthy contributed to The Pat McAfee Show throughout this season. He also interviewed for the Tennessee Titans’ head coach position which ultimately went to Robert Saleh.

McCarthy’s arrival in Dallas came after a 12-year run in Green Bay, including a Super Bowl victory. All told, he had a 125-77 overall record with the Packers before his firing late in the 2018 season. The franchise made nine playoff appearances during that time and won the NFC North six times.

During his time as a head coach from 2006-24, McCarthy totaled a 174-112-2 record during the regular season. He also is 11-11 in the postseason, including the Super Bowl XLV title with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Tomlin stepped down following a season which saw the Steelers win the AFC North for the first time since 2020. Pittsburgh, however, was bounced in the Wild Card Round at home by the Houston Texans, extending its playoff losing streak to seven games. The Steelers last won a postseason game in January 2017.

Tomlin had been Pittsburgh’s head coach since the 2007 season. The Steelers had a winning percentage well over .600 and won a Super Bowl in 2008 under his leadership. Pittsburgh under Tomlin finished .500 or better in every season.

McCarthy’s hire also signals a departure from Pittsburgh’s previous three coaches. Noll, Cowher and Tomlin were all in their 30s and had defensive backgrounds. McCarthy is a well-regarded offensive mind and is 62 years old.

Nick Schultz contributed.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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