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Steelers' Mike McCarthy Makes Splash By Landing His New Assistant Head Coach

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Brogan Noey | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 2:52 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been building out an impressive coaching staff ever since Mike McCarthy was announced as the franchise's new head coach. He has landed both of his coordinators, and he has also created some new positions on the coaching staff that fans have not seen before. Pittsburgh will finally have a passing game coordinator, which is a position the entire league has had for what feels like a decade.

McCarthy hired his offensive coordinator on Wednesday, and he also hired former Washington Commanders Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt was fired after the 2025 season, but he is now being hired as McCarthy's assistant head coach as well as a secondary coach.

The Steelers are hiring former Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. as assistant head coach/secondary coach, sources say.

Whitt, 47, spent 11 seasons on Mike McCarthy’s staff with the Packers. Now, they’re reunited in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/8fwVxOVIJk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 4, 2026

McCarthy and Whitt have spent a ton of time together. They were with one another for 11 seasons while the duo was with the Green Bay Packers, and they also spent three seasons together with the Dallas Cowboys. He was praised for his time in Dallas and the way he was able to help Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs progress as young players. He followed Dan Quinn to Washington after he got the head coaching job during the 2024 season.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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