Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan introduced Mike McCarthy as the franchise’s new coach Tuesday in the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium.
McCarthy became the Steelers’ fourth coach since 1969 when the team announced his hiring.
We have named Mike McCarthy the 17th head coach in franchise history.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2026
????: https://t.co/S7tN4tjyeZ pic.twitter.com/UykjlPbQnC
In a news release Tuesday, McCarthy said: “Often times, coaches and players put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in them. But, if you are blessed beyond measure, one day you put on the colors you’ve worn since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital.
“I want to express my gratitude to Art Rooney, Omar Khan, Dan Rooney and the entire Steelers organization for the trust they have placed in me to represent one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. I understand — and embrace — the responsibility, the privilege and the weight that comes with this stewardship.
“This city, this franchise and this fan base mean the world to me — because Pittsburgh is my world.
“I need to thank two men I’m so fortunate to call friends: Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher. They represented this organization with such class and I’m honored — honored — to follow them. They left the proverbial cupboard full.”
Steelers President Art Rooney II on Mike McCarthy: pic.twitter.com/iLqeng3Mya
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2026
The former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach is meeting with the media to discuss his new position.
Watch live
Steelers President Art Rooney II and GM Omar Khan introduce Mike McCarthy as the team’s head coach. https://t.co/ce0QIUwWrG
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2026
Follow TribLive’s Chris Adamski, Chris Harlan and Tim Benz for updates on McCarthy and the Steelers.
Mike McCarthy with Omar Khan, Art Rooney II, Danny Rooney and Steelers players past and present pic.twitter.com/hv744uLrG2
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Mike McCarthy when asked about the Steelers’ offensive skill-position corps pic.twitter.com/sxghZN2gGU
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Mike McCarthy: "The two words that jump to the front are overwhelming and surreal."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Says he has received twice as many texts/calls than he did after he won the Super Bowl.
Omar Khan says that in every interview the Steelers did with coaching candidates that they asked about a plan to develop the QB of the future.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Mike McCarthy on assembling a coaching staff:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"This league definitely evolves. And you want to be on the front end of that cycle; you definitely don't want to be on the back end."
Says he wants a blend of experience and young, hungry up-and-coaching assistants.
Mike McCarthy says there are big decisions about keeping the current Steelers roster together.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"I don't believe in the throw-the-baby-out-with-the-bath-water method. I believe in building off what is in place."
Omar Khan on working together with the 2000 New Orleans Saints with Mike McCarthy:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"I remember the attention to detail that this person put into everything he did, and that still resonates with me to this day."
Art Rooney II on hiring Mike McCarthy in lieu of younger candidates:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"We came into this wanting to hire the best coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We had an open mind about it, and we found the best coach.
"I won't say it was an easy decision but... it was an obvious decision."
Mike McCarthy: "Paul Hackett was my mentor."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
(Former Pitt head coach whom he was a GA under in 1989-1991)
Mike McCarthy makes a quip, then says:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"You should be funny in your first press conference. That backfired on me last time."
Probably a reference to him saying he fibbed to the Cowboys' Jerry Jones on watching every single play of the Cowboys' previous season.
"Mike Tomlin and Omar, they left me a lot to work with." https://t.co/UuvWDEjvrP
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Mike McCarthy on the current Steelers:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"I love the roster."
Mike McCarthy appreciates @TimBenzPGH question about if he would want Aaron Rodgers to be his QB.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Said he watched a lot of 2025 Steelers games and believes Rodgers was still an asset.
“Definitely. I wouldn’t know why I wouldn’t.” pic.twitter.com/hXR2alOOMq
Mike McCarthy chokes up when talking about how his year off between coaching jobs was "a very fulfilling year" spending time with family.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"I don't know why I am so emotional."
Mike McCarthy acknowledges all his family members at his intro presser.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"We can finally openly wear our Steelers swag."
New Steelers coach Mike McCarthy:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
"This city, this franchise, this fanbase means the world to me. Because Pittsburgh means the world to me."
Art Rooney II acknowledges that his grandfather would have LOVED that the Steelers hired a coach from Greenfield on what would have been his 125th birthday.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
But, Rooney says: "Him being from Greenfield had little to do with our decision." https://t.co/hd4BPGBaX7
“Good afternoon”
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
—Art Rooney II pic.twitter.com/qeYiH12E2D
Ryan Shazier, Mel Blount, Will Allen former Steelers who have a front-row seat for the Mike McCarthy intro presser https://t.co/9rLbYiN5aA
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Alex Highsmith on hand from the current team
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
It happens only about once every 2 decades or so…
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers will introduce a new head coach right here in about 90 minutes pic.twitter.com/5AfLlKWs9T
The Chief gotta be proud, introducing a new coach of his beloved Steelers for only the third time since his death 38 years ago… and it’s a guy from Greenfield… on a snow-covered day… that happens to coincide with his birthday…
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
Art Rooney Sr, born on this day in 1901 pic.twitter.com/CA4G33F2wZ
Snow drift the size of a red zone outside Acrisure Stadium greeting Mike McCarthy and those on hand for his introductory news conference as Steelers head coach pic.twitter.com/YXxAjEqXQx
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 27, 2026
