The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines in January 2026 by hiring Mike McCarthy as their 17th head coach, succeeding Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after an impressive 19-year tenure. While some fans expressed disappointment over not pursuing a younger coach for a potential full rebuild, Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has a strong message: cheer up—Steelers fans are in for something special with “Big Mike.”
In a recent appearance on The Ross Tucker Football Podcast, Lamb lit up when asked about McCarthy, his former head coach in Dallas from 2020 to 2024 (Lamb’s first five NFL seasons). “Oh, my God, a great guy,” Lamb said enthusiastically. “He loves Pittsburgh. That’s my mans. I love Mike. I love Mike. Coach McCarthy, he’s obviously—for those who don’t know—he’s my only coach that I’ve had besides Schotty.”
Lamb went on to paint a vivid picture of what McCarthy brings to the table:
“But just coming in, he’s a great time. As soon as you walk in the building, you’re gonna feel his energy, and you’re gonna feel what he wants to do. He wants to go vertical with the ball. I’m gonna tell you that right now. But he’s gonna do everything.
He’s gonna tailor his offense and get things situated, but he’s Pittsburgh down. Everything that he’s done has been out of love, man. Again, that’s another guy that I feel like I would run through a wall for. Mike did a great job of really just developing me my first five years in the league.”
McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native born and raised in the area, returns home for what he described emotionally during his introductory press conference as a “third act.” He joked about the poetic nature of donning the black and gold: “Oftentimes, coaches and players put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in them. But, if you are blessed beyond measure, one day you put on the colors you’ve worn since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital.”
Before joining the Steelers, McCarthy coached the Cowboys for five seasons (2020–2024), posting a 49-35 regular-season record with three consecutive 12-win campaigns from 2021–2023. However, playoff success eluded Dallas, with early exits in the NFC Wild Card (twice) and Divisional round (once), and a 7-10 miss in his final lame-duck year. The Cowboys then hired Brian Schottenheimer in 2025.
McCarthy’s most notable achievement came earlier with the Green Bay Packers (2006–2018), where he and Aaron Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV in 2011—ironically defeating Tomlin’s Steelers.
With a career regular-season record of 174-112-2 as an NFL head coach, McCarthy brings proven experience and stability. The Steelers haven’t finished below .500 since 2003, so expectations remain high. Fans might tolerate another middling season less than ever if it doesn’t translate to postseason wins.
Lamb’s glowing endorsement highlights McCarthy’s infectious energy, player development prowess, and aggressive vertical passing approach—qualities that could energize Pittsburgh as the team enters a new era under its hometown coach. For now, at least one Cowboys star believes Steelers Nation has plenty of reasons to get excited.
