The Pittsburgh Steelers have filled a key vacancy on their coaching staff, officially naming Brian Angelichio as their new offensive coordinator. Head coach Mike McCarthy made the move official on Wednesday, tapping into Angelichio’s deep well of experience as he looks to reshape the Steelers’ offense heading into next season.
Angelichio arrives in Pittsburgh after serving as the Minnesota Vikings’ tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, a role that showcased his ability to develop talent and contribute to a modern, balanced offensive scheme. With three decades of coaching under his belt, Angelichio brings a wealth of football knowledge and a steady hand to a Steelers offense that’s been searching for consistency and identity.
This hire comes after Pittsburgh reportedly showed strong interest in Scott Tolzien, the New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach. Tolzien, however, opted to stay in New Orleans, leaving the Steelers to pivot toward Angelichio - a move that could pay dividends given his experience working with multiple offensive systems and quarterbacks over the years.
Angelichio steps in to replace Arthur Smith, who spent two seasons as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator before accepting the same role at Ohio State. Smith’s tenure had its ups and downs, and now it’s Angelichio’s turn to take the reins and help unlock the full potential of a Steelers offense that has plenty of intriguing pieces but has struggled to find rhythm and production on a consistent basis.
But the changes don’t stop there.
The Steelers are also bolstering their defensive coaching staff, reportedly hiring Joe Whitt Jr. as assistant head coach and secondary coach. Whitt, who most recently served as the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator, brings a sharp defensive mind and strong leadership qualities to McCarthy’s staff. His addition signals a clear intent to build a more cohesive and competitive coaching unit on both sides of the ball.
With these hires, Pittsburgh is laying the foundation for a new era under McCarthy. Angelichio’s offensive acumen and Whitt’s defensive expertise give the Steelers two seasoned voices in the room - and with the right pieces in place on the roster, this could be the start of a significant shift in Pittsburgh’s approach and production.