The winds of change have officially swept through Pittsburgh, and for the first time in nearly two decades, the Steelers are entering an offseason without Mike Tomlin at the helm. After 19 seasons of stability and consistency under Tomlin, the franchise is charting a bold new course-and it’s moving fast.
At the center of it all is Mike McCarthy, the veteran head coach with a Super Bowl ring and a reputation for building physical, disciplined teams. Now 62, McCarthy steps into one of the NFL’s most storied franchises with a clear vision and plenty of familiar faces by his side. From the moment he took the podium for his introductory press conference, it was clear: this isn’t just a retooling-it’s a full-scale reboot.
McCarthy Era Begins: Familiar Faces, Fresh Direction
McCarthy isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on the Steelers. Not only will he serve as head coach, but he’s also taking back the offensive play-calling duties-something he’s only handed off once in his career. That move signals trust in his offensive philosophy and a desire to have direct control over the unit’s identity.
To run the offense alongside him, McCarthy brought in Brian Angelichio as offensive coordinator. Angelichio, most recently the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach with the Vikings, has deep ties to McCarthy from their time in Green Bay. While Angelichio’s resume is rooted in tight end development, his understanding of McCarthy’s system and his experience in multiple offensive schemes make him a natural fit for this role.
On the defensive side, the Steelers are turning to Patrick Graham as their new defensive coordinator. Graham brings 17 years of NFL coaching experience and has served as a DC for the Dolphins, Giants, and most recently the Raiders. While his defenses haven’t always been top-tier statistically, Graham has a knack for getting the most out of his personnel-something Pittsburgh desperately needs after back-to-back seasons of defensive regression.
Building the Staff: A Mix of Experience and Upside
McCarthy’s staff is a blend of trusted veterans and rising coaches, many of whom he’s worked with before. Joe Whitt Jr. will serve as assistant head coach and secondary coach. Though his recent stint as Washington’s defensive coordinator was rocky, Whitt’s track record with defensive backs-especially during his time in Green Bay-suggests he can help reinvigorate a secondary that’s struggled to generate takeaways.
In the trenches, McCarthy is reuniting with longtime collaborator James Campen, who takes over as offensive line coach. Campen coached with McCarthy for over a decade in Green Bay and is widely respected for his ability to develop linemen and build cohesive units.
He’ll be joined by assistant OL coach Jahri Evans, a former six-time Pro Bowler and one of the most decorated guards of his era. Evans is still early in his coaching journey, but his playing experience brings instant credibility.
At running backs coach, the Steelers are turning to Ramon Chinyoung Sr., who replaces Eddie Faulkner. Meanwhile, Adam Henry-most recently with the Bills-will oversee the wide receiver room. Henry has coached some of the league’s top receiving talent over the years and brings a technician’s eye to the position.
Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth is one of the few holdovers from the previous staff, a sign that McCarthy sees value in continuity at the position, especially with the team likely facing key decisions under center.
Defensive Overhaul Continues
On the defensive front, Pittsburgh is bringing in Domata Peko as the new defensive line coach. Peko, a former longtime Bengals defensive tackle, is a fresh face in the coaching world but comes with a wealth of playing experience and recent coaching stops in Dallas and Colorado. He replaces Karl Dunbar, who had long been a steady presence on the staff.
Jason Simmons joins the staff as defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, while Scotty McCurley returns for his second season as inside linebackers coach. On the edge, Shawn Howe steps in as the new outside linebackers coach. The defensive coaching staff is younger and more diverse in background than in years past, but there’s a clear emphasis on energy, adaptability, and player development.
Special Teams and Support Staff
Special teams will be led by Danny Crossman, who brings over two decades of NFL experience, most recently with the Dolphins. Crossman has overseen some solid special teams units in his career and will be tasked with improving Pittsburgh’s consistency in that phase of the game.
Rounding out the staff is Steve Scarnecchia as chief of staff and Abe Munayer as head of athletic performance-two behind-the-scenes roles that are crucial to the day-to-day operation of a modern NFL team.
A New Chapter in Pittsburgh
This is more than just a coaching change-it’s a culture shift. The Steelers are leaning into McCarthy’s experience, his network, and his vision for a team that can compete with toughness and discipline.
For a franchise that’s prided itself on continuity, this kind of overhaul is rare. But with the AFC getting deeper and more competitive by the year, Pittsburgh is signaling that it’s ready to evolve.
It’s early days, but the pieces are coming together. McCarthy’s staff is built with intention-coaches who understand his system, bring fresh ideas, and know what it takes to win. Now, all eyes turn to the roster and how these coaches will mold it heading into the 2026 season.
One thing’s clear: the Steelers aren’t tiptoeing into a new era-they’re kicking the door down.