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\u2014Steelers fans are in for something special with \u201cBig Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nIn 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\u2019s first five NFL seasons). \u201cOh, my God, a great guy,\u201d Lamb said enthusiastically. \u201cHe loves Pittsburgh. That\u2019s my mans. I love Mike. I love Mike. Coach McCarthy, he\u2019s obviously\u2014for those who don\u2019t know\u2014he\u2019s my only coach that I\u2019ve had besides Schotty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lamb went on to paint a vivid picture of what McCarthy brings to the table:<\/p>\n
\u201cBut just coming in, he\u2019s a great time. As soon as you walk in the building, you\u2019re gonna feel his energy, and you\u2019re gonna feel what he wants to do. He wants to go vertical with the ball. I\u2019m gonna tell you that right now. But he\u2019s gonna do everything.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s gonna tailor his offense and get things situated, but he\u2019s Pittsburgh down. Everything that he\u2019s done has been out of love, man. Again, that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native born and raised in the area, returns home for what he described emotionally during his introductory press conference as a \u201cthird act.\u201d He joked about the poetic nature of donning the black and gold: \u201cOftentimes, 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\u2019ve worn since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before joining the Steelers, McCarthy coached the Cowboys for five seasons (2020\u20132024), posting a 49-35 regular-season record with three consecutive 12-win campaigns from 2021\u20132023. 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.<\/p>\n
McCarthy\u2019s most notable achievement came earlier with the Green Bay Packers (2006\u20132018), where he and Aaron Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV in 2011\u2014ironically defeating Tomlin\u2019s Steelers.<\/p>\n
With a career regular-season record of 174-112-2 as an NFL head coach, McCarthy brings proven experience and stability. The Steelers haven\u2019t finished below .500 since 2003, so expectations remain high. Fans might tolerate another middling season less than ever if it doesn\u2019t translate to postseason wins.<\/p>\n
Lamb\u2019s glowing endorsement highlights McCarthy\u2019s infectious energy, player development prowess, and aggressive vertical passing approach\u2014qualities 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.<\/p>\n
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