The Steelers are set to interview Mike McCarthy for their open head coach position, marking an important step in their search process. This meeting is slated for later this week, making McCarthy the ninth known candidate under consideration for the role.
At 62 years old, McCarthy is widely recognized for his impressive 13-year tenure as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, as well as five seasons leading the Dallas Cowboys. Notably, he boasts a Super Bowl championship win against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Over his extensive career spanning 18 seasons in the NFL, he has compiled an overall record of 174 wins, 112 losses, and 2 ties in regular season games, alongside a postseason record of 11 wins and 11 losses.
What makes McCarthy a particularly intriguing candidate is his deep-rooted connection to Pittsburgh; being a native of the city, he possesses an understanding of the profound significance the franchise holds within the community. Furthermore, he previously collaborated with Omar Khan during their time together at the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2001. With the Steelers reportedly considering a return for Aaron Rodgers, McCarthy’s long-standing relationship with the four-time MVP could potentially entice him to rejoin Pittsburgh for another year.
However, it’s essential to note that selecting McCarthy would represent a substantial shift from the hiring patterns of the previous three head coaches. Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin were all defensive-minded coaches in their 30s who had no prior head coaching experience when they were appointed. In contrast, McCarthy is an offensive strategist in his early sixties, bringing nearly two decades of head coaching experience to the table.
The Steelers are not known for frequently changing head coaches. The legacies of Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin have dominated the franchise for the last 57 seasons, and each of these hires was met with strong approval. With this latest move, it seems that Art Rooney II and Khan are meticulously exploring all possible avenues to ensure they make a successful choice once again.
