Mike McCarthy is wasting no time shaping his new staff in Pittsburgh, and his latest addition brings both NFL pedigree and front-office savvy to the table.
The Steelers are bringing in Steve Scarnecchia, the former Falcons chief of staff of coaching operations, to join McCarthy’s staff. Scarnecchia’s name might ring a bell - he’s the son of longtime New England Patriots assistant Dante Scarnecchia, a coaching legend who helped anchor the Patriots' dynasty during the Brady-Belichick era. Dante’s reputation as one of the league’s premier offensive line coaches still echoes through NFL circles, and now his son is carving out his own path in the league’s coaching infrastructure.
Steve Scarnecchia isn’t new to the grind of NFL operations. Before his stint in Atlanta, he served as the New York Jets’ chief of staff of coaching operations from 2021 to 2023 under head coach Robert Saleh.
In both roles, Scarnecchia handled the kind of logistical and operational tasks that are critical to keeping a coaching staff running smoothly - think scheduling meetings and practices, managing the football operations budget, and coordinating team events. It’s a role that doesn’t make headlines, but it’s essential to the day-to-day flow of an NFL franchise.
In Pittsburgh, Scarnecchia will be a key behind-the-scenes figure for McCarthy, helping to manage the rhythm and structure of the team’s operations. With McCarthy stepping into a new chapter in his coaching career, having someone with Scarnecchia’s experience and organizational expertise is a smart move. It allows McCarthy to focus on the football while knowing the logistics are in good hands.
This hire isn’t flashy, but it’s the kind of foundational move that helps build a cohesive, well-run staff - something every successful team needs. Scarnecchia brings a wealth of experience and a football upbringing that should serve him well in Pittsburgh. For McCarthy and the Steelers, this is a solid addition to a staff that’s still taking shape.