The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered a new era under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. This transition comes after longtime Head Coach Mike Tomlin elected to step away following a 24-point home playoff blowout loss that ended the 2025 season. After 19 seasons at the helm, Tomlin’s departure marks a significant turning point for the franchise.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin meets with ex-Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy after agame.
Now, with a new leader in place, Pittsburgh is focused on shaping the future. McCarthy has taken over with the task of building out his coaching staff and establishing a vision for what this next chapter of Steelers football will look like.
All eyes are on McCarthy as he begins assembling a staff that reflects his philosophy and approach. In the coming weeks, many assistant coaching positions are expected to be filled as the organization starts to take shape under new leadership.
On Wednesday, one of the first major moves was reported. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe revealed that Adam Henry will be the first known hire under McCarthy in the Steel City, marking an early and important addition to the new coaching staff.
Steelers are hiring Adam Henry as their new receivers coach, per source.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 28, 2026
Henry is a longtime receivers coach who has spent the last 3 years coaching Bills receivers. pic.twitter.com/Rhk47NPXKa
Henry, a former wide receiver who played his college ball at McNeese State, went undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft. After a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints from 1994 to 1996, mostly on the practice squad, he transitioned back to where it all began, McNeese State, and began his coaching career with the wide receivers in 1997.
Dallas Cowboys Team Website
Steelers wide receivers coach Adam Henry during his time coaching with the Dallas Cowboys.
Over the years, Henry has built a wealth of experience mentoring receivers at both the college and professional levels. Now 53 years old, he brings decades of on-field and coaching knowledge to Pittsburgh, joining McCarthy’s staff with the goal of developing the Steelers’ receiving corps. His journey from undrafted player to seasoned coach adds a depth of perspective that McCarthy will surely rely on as he shapes his team in the Steel City.
Henry has coached for six different NFL franchises, with his most recent stop being the Buffalo Bills from 2023 through the end of the 2025 season. While the Bills’ passing game struggled at times, and some critics note that the team’s receivers did not always make life easy for Josh Allen down the stretch, many analysts feel Henry did an exceptional job developing the weapons he had at his disposal.
Steelers New HC Brings Back His Former WR Coach
Henry also has prior experience working with McCarthy, having served as the Cowboys’ wide receivers coach from 2020 to 2021. That familiarity with McCarthy’s coaching style and system should help him integrate quickly into the Steelers’ staff.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Head Coach Mike McCarthy speaking during his opening press conference on January 27th, 2026.
With Henry joining the Steel City, McCarthy takes another step toward shaping his team the way he envisions it. His wealth of experience as both a player and coach, combined with his history with McCarthy, makes him a key piece in Pittsburgh’s effort to rebuild its receiving corps and return to playoff contention.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
#SteelerNation