Teresa Varley

The Steelers welcomed Mike McCarthy as the team's 17th head coach on Tuesday at a press conference at Acrisure Stadium.

An emotional McCarthy had to pause several times as he began to speak.

"Here we go," said McCarthy, already getting emotional. "I thought I'd at least be able to get started."

After a pause, he began to speak again, with his family and former and current Steelers players in the first few rows watching on.

"Oftentimes, coaches and players, you put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in those new colors," said McCarthy. "But to be blessed beyond any measure, one day to put on the colors you wore since you brought home."

Again he paused, his emotions taking over.

"I told you not to sit my family down here in front," said McCarthy. "This is so unfair."

He then continued.

"I want to thank Art Rooney, Omar Khan, Dan Rooney and the entire Steelers organization for the trust they placed in me to represent one of the most storied franchises in all of sports," said McCarthy. "I understand and embrace bu the responsibility, the privilege and the weight that comes with the stewardship.

"This city, this franchise, this fan base, means the world to me because Pittsburgh is my world and it's just awesome to be back here."

McCarthy said the last 72 hours since he got the phone call from the Steelers offering him the job have been surreal, a whirlwind filled with planning and excitement.

"I think the two words that jump to the front are overwhelming and surreal," said McCarthy. "The opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the overwhelming response that's occurred.

"I've received probably twice as many, at least, text messages and calls than I did when we won a Super Bowl. It's just been overwhelming.

"So, the last 48, 72 hours have been about the staff. So, I mean it's just nonstop. Trying to make it fit together. And it's more difficult to put a staff together today than it was six years ago, and definitely 20 years ago."

McCarthy, who is a Pittsburgh native, has a 174-112-2 (.608) overall coaching record and has the fourth-most wins among active NFL coaches and 15th most in NFL history.

While he didn't coach in 2025, he said getting back is something he really wanted to do.

"I love coaching," said McCarthy. "I think the biggest thing is the interaction every day with the players, the coaches, the support group, the lineup every single day and the work and to do hard stuff with people that are committed. I mean, there's nothing like it.

"I've had a chance to step away and look at other things. There's nothing like the National Football League. And to do it at the highest level, it's something that I'm not ready to walk away from.

"And to have this opportunity, it just seemed like it was meant to be on so many different levels. Sundays are incredible. Tuesdays, game plan days, are still one of my favorite days. There's so many little things about the coaching profession I love.

"But the fact getting up every day, grabbing that cup of coffee and hitting it, getting it, and it's all about winning. I'm just fortunate that I had the opportunity to do it again."

McCarthy said while he is working on putting a coaching staff together, he will call the offensive plays.

"I will call the plays on offense, and obviously will run the offense," said McCarthy. "But these coaching staffs, it's a bigger challenge each and every year. I think there's more moving parts to it. But it's been very fluid the last 48 hours."

McCarthy brings 18 years of NFL head coaching experience with him, 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2006-18) and five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2020-24).

McCarthy led his teams to 12 postseason appearances and eight division titles. The teams he has coached have won six NFC North titles (Packers) and two NFC East titles (Cowboys).

In addition, McCarthy teams have advanced to four NFC Championship Games, and he guided the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV Championship over the Steelers following the 2010 season.

"My heart is full. My focus is singular," said McCarthy. "And it's time to bring another championship back to this great city."