Earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their search for a new head coach, marking just their third major coaching change since Chuck Noll took the helm in 1969.
On January 13, Mike Tomlin announced he would be stepping down after an impressive 19-season tenure.
The Steelers have been interviewing several candidates, focusing on younger assistants reminiscent of Noll, Tomlin, and Bill Cowher, all of whom started off relatively unknown and ended up with Super Bowl victories and standout legacies.
During his somewhat emotional introductory press conference, Mike McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, expressed his excitement about this new opportunity.
“I thought at least I would get a start,” McCarthy said, trying to keep his emotions in check as he glanced at his family in the audience.
McCarthy previously enjoyed a successful run with the Green Bay Packers, where he and Aaron Rodgers teamed up for several years. From 2006 to 2018, McCarthy led the Packers to a solid 125-77-2 record. After spending two seasons with the New York Jets, Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Steelers last offseason.
Although Rodgers had a decent inaugural season with the Steelers, questions loom about his future. At 42, it’s hard to tell if he will continue with Pittsburgh, look elsewhere, or maybe even retire.
At a recent press conference, McCarthy was asked if he might coach Rodgers again, and he seemed hopeful. “Absolutely, I don’t see why not,” he replied.
Reflecting on their past, Rodgers once mentioned how time has deepened his appreciation for his former coach. “When you have a breakup, it’s natural to look back and appreciate what you had,” he said.
McCarthy led the Packers to their only Super Bowl victory during Rodgers’ time there in 2010, but their relationship hit a rough patch, ultimately leading to McCarthy’s firing after the 2018 season.
Now, both McCarthy and his hometown Steelers are eager to return to their former glory. “It’s time to bring a championship back to this great city,” McCarthy declared.
