The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering into fresh soil with only their fourth head coach since 1969. This, of course, comes after Mike Tomlin decided it was time to step away from coaching, closing a remarkable 19-year chapter in Pittsburgh football. Under Tomlin, the Steelers experienced both highs and lows, but his tenure was marked by a conservative approach to staffing, often leaving positions unfilled. In 2025, the Steelers had the lowest number of full-time coaching staff in the NFL, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Steeler Nation. Many fans wondered why a franchise so focused on winning would not maximize the number of coaches and eyes on the field if the league allowed it.
Matthew Emmons / Imagn Images
Steelers' Mike McCarthy and former head coach Mike Tomlin embrace after clashing in the Super Bowl.
In response, the Steelers elected to move forward and hire Mike McCarthy as their new head coach. McCarthy, a Super Bowl-winning coach with experience in Green Bay and Dallas, comes in with a different philosophy, one that seems more in line with the modern NFL’s demands for depth and specialized coaching. While questions remain about how his offensive and defensive strategies will mesh with Pittsburgh’s roster, the early signs are encouraging. Fans have been particularly pleased with McCarthy’s approach to building out his staff, showing a willingness to fully utilize the resources the organization can provide.
A major statement of intent came with the hiring of Steve Scarnecchia as McCarthy’s Chief of Staff, a role that never existed under Tomlin. This move reflects McCarthy’s commitment to structure and organization, ensuring that every position is accounted for and that the coaching operation functions at maximum efficiency. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger detailed what this hire actually means for Pittsburgh on his podcast Footbahlin on Tuesday night.
"I think he has been labeled as McCarthy's eye in the sky," Roethlisberger said while speaking during his podcast. "I think what you do is you put a guy that you really trust, knows football, and knows me. Right? If I am Coach McCarthy and I have a guy that we have a relationship with, he knows what I am thinking. He knows my mindset on going for it, not going for it, challenging and not challenging. If we are kind of like a two-for-one... he sits in the box and he's looking at everything... I think it's smart and every team should have one. Every team may have one, but I do not think the Steelers have ever had one. McCarthy probably had to ask the Steelers if it's ok to bring an extra coach on the staff, but I think it is awesome."
By filling gaps that were once left open, McCarthy is sending a message that he agrees with fans who long questioned the team’s approach under Tomlin. For Steeler Nation, this combination of experience and structural overhaul offers a renewed sense of optimism as the team begins a new era.
Steelers Making Big Changes Under New Head Coach Mike McCarthy
Roethlisberger believes that McCarthy likely had to ask Team President Art Rooney II and General Manager Omar Khan for approval to bring on an additional coach to the staff. The fact that they allowed this is very telling of how highly they view both this hire and the choice to bring in Scarnecchia.
AP photo
Steelers Chief of Staff Steve Scarnecchia during his time working with the New York Jets.
When he worked under former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in 2024, he was the man with the red challenge flag and helped make those decisions. He has been trusted on many coaching staffs and is also the son of legendary NFL offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.
With such a long lineage and history, McCarthy clearly trusts him to hold this position. This new era of Pittsburgh football is going to be interesting and revealing about where this organization truly stands. Many Steelers fans are excited to watch this staff continue to get built out.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
#SteelerNation