Steelers coaching history: Mike McCarthy to be held to lofty standard created by predecessors in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, known for their six Super Bowl wins—tied for the most in league history—and for their consistency.

While many NFL teams repeatedly hire the wrong candidates for head coach and endure constant turnover, Pittsburgh stands in stark contrast. The Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969 and will welcome Mike McCarthy as their fourth in 2026. By comparison, the Arizona Cardinals have had seven head coaches since 2000.

Since 1969, the Steelers have followed an almost formulaic approach in choosing their head coaches. McCarthy breaks from that formula in nearly every way. Even so, the veteran coach will be expected to win from day one in Pittsburgh and likely won’t have a long leash.

Here’s a closer look at the high expectations for McCarthy, the latest in a line of successful Steelers head coaches.

MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:

• 3 reasons why every team remaining will (and won't) win Super Bowl
• Inside the Patriots vs. Broncos AFC championship matchup
• Predicting the Super Bowl 60 matchup
• Breaking down Seahawks vs. Rams NFC championship matchup

Steelers coaching history in Super Bowl Era

The very first Super Bowl was held on January 15, 1967. It was officially the AFL-NFL Championship, as were each of the first four Super Bowls before the two leagues merged to form today’s NFL.

Nearly 60 years later, the Steelers have had only four head coaches since that first Super Bowl. McCarthy will be Pittsburgh’s fifth head coach since Super Bowl I.

Bill Austin (1966-1968)

• Record: 11-28-3

Austin played for the New York Giants from 1949 to 1950 and then again from 1953 to 1957. After retiring, he turned to coaching. Austin served as the offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1964 and then for the Los Angeles Rams in 1965. 

He was then hired to be the Steelers' head coach in 1966. Austin lasted only three seasons, struggling to win consistently. Still, even though Pittsburgh struggled with a first-time head coach, that ended up beginning a trend for the franchise that would last nearly 60 years. 

MORE: Why did Steelers hire Mike McCarthy?

Chuck Noll (1969-1991)

• Record: 193-148-1

Noll played for the Cleveland Browns from 1953 to 1959. After his playing career ended, he became a defensive coach for the then San Diego Chargers. Noll was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1962 and held that role until 1965 when he became the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts. He held that position during Austin's tenure and then got his first and only head coaching gig in Pittsburgh in 1969. 

Noll is one of the longest tenured head coaches of all time, lasting 22 seasons with the Steelers. He helped the franchise win four Super Bowls and he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Noll passed away in 2014 when he was 82 years old. 

He fit many of the characteristics of Austin, and the two coaches who succeeded him. Noll's first head coaching gig was with Pittsburgh, and it was his only head coaching position. Plus, he was hired to be the head coach when he was just 37 years old. 

MORE: Explaining Mike Tomlin's contract

Bill Cowher (1992-2006)

• Record: 149-90-1

After Nott retired following the 1991 season, Pittsburgh conducted its first head coaching search in two decades. The Steelers landed on Cowher, who had been serving as the Kansas City Chiefs' defensive coordinator since 1989. Cowher was 34 years old when he was hired by the Steelers. 

Like Noll, it was his first head coaching job. He won Super Bowl 40, giving the franchise its fifth Lombardi Trophy. Cowher resigned following the 2007 season and did not coach again in the NFL. Since his retirement, he has prioritized his family and has been serving as an NFL analyst for CBS since 2007. 

MORE: What does Mike McCarthy hire mean for Aaron Rodgers?

Mike Tomlin (2007-2025)

• Record: 193-114-2

Tomlin never played in the NFL, but did play wide receiver at William & Mary in college. After graduating, he began coaching and quickly switched to the defensive side of the ball. Tomlin was the defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2001 to 2005. He was then hired to be the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator in 2006. 

After just one season, the Steelers hired him to be their head coach. He helped Pittsburgh win its sixth Super Bowl and ended his tenure with the team without a losing season. Tomlin was 34 when the Steelers hired him, continuing the trend of defensive-minded, first-time head coaches under 37. 

MORE: Why did Mike Tomlin resign?

Mike McCarthy (2026-present)

• Record: TBD

The Steelers have broken several molds with their latest head coaching hire. For the first time since 1965, Pittsburgh has hired a coach who had previously served as a head coach. McCarthy is also an offensive-minded coach. Before spending 18 seasons as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers and five years with the Dallas Cowboys, he spent six seasons as an offensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

The final deviation from nearly 60 years of Steelers tradition is McCarthy’s age at the time of his hiring—62. He is currently the third-oldest head coach in the league.