Patrick Graham hired as Steelers defensive coordinator
Thanks everybody for being with us on this special occasion. Uh, it may be irrelevant to some of you, but I like the fact that, uh, today is my grandfather’s birthday, and, uh, he would have loved the fact that we’re hiring ***, uh, *** guy from Greenfield to be our coach. So, uh, but having said that, uh, him being from Greenfield had little to do with, uh, with our, uh, decision here. It’s really, uh, uh, great to be able to hire somebody who has such *** tremendous winning track record and, Uh, one everywhere he’s been, and so it gives us great confidence to, uh, to welcome Mike. And so I am, uh, happy to introduce, uh, Mike McCarthy, the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike. Uh All right, here we go. Um, thank you, Art. Uh, I think, um, I thought I’d at least be able to get started, um. You know, oftentimes coaches and players. You know, you put on new team colors and it takes, it takes *** minute to feel comfortable. In those new colors. Uh, but to be blessed beyond any measure one day to put on the colors you wore since you brought home. I apologize. Right, I told you not to see my family down here in front. This is so unfair. When you come home from Mercy Hospital, I, I do want to thank, I want to thank Art. Art Rooney, Omar Khan, uh, Dan Rooney, and, um, the entire Steelers organization. For the trust they placed in, in me to represent one of the most storied franchise in all of sports. I understand and embrace the responsibility, the privilege, and the weight that comes with the stewardship. Uh, this city, this franchise, this fan base. Uh, means the world to me. Because Pittsburgh is my world and that’s, it’s just awesome to be back here. Um, I do want to thank two men. I’m very fortunate to call friends, uh, Mike Tomlin and Bill Cower. Uh, they’ve represented this organization with such class and, and I’m honored, honored to follow in their footsteps. They left the proverbial. Cupboard full for sure. Uh, my family, my loves, my wife Jessica, uh, kids, Alex and Danny, Jack, George, Gabby, and Izzy, my parents, Joe and Ellen McCarthy, my sisters, Kelly Owen and, uh, Colleen and the crew that’s here, we can finally openly wear our Steelers swag. So, let’s get it. Um, my heart is full. My focus is singular and um It’s time to bring another championship back to this great city, and um With that, I just want to make sure that when we do get that, that trophy, that, you know, the 7th trophy in the case, we’ll, we’ll start that victory parade at 11:37 Greenford Avenue. So, uh, with that, Burt, right, you pass the mics over. Mike, Jerry Dulack from the Post Gazette, um, did, did you think and want to get back into coaching? And we’ve seen other guys take that year off and get back. What did last year or the year off do for you, show you, anything like that? Well, the year off was awesome. Um, really family up, you know, I had *** chance to take *** year off in 19 and frankly, I, I really didn’t take the year off. I, I just, um, you know, we had *** group of, um, coaches, friends, mainly that we, we, we really treated it like *** season. We started in February and And still today, there’s projects, um, that, you know, I never really got to in Dallas. So I mean, it was, it was *** football deep dive on, on *** lot of things. Uh, it was awesome. I loved it, you know, just to do it at that pace and, um, and do it with the people that I did, you know, experience that with. Uh, but this year was about family. You know, I spent *** lot of time with the family, uh, through the spring volleyball games, all that stuff. It was. I know I’m so emotional, but. Uh, great year. I had *** great year. So, and then, um, I was able to do some cool things too. You know, I mean, the Pat McAfee show was awesome, um, just to see that side of the world, have more respect for, you know, Jerry than I ever have just because, you know, essentially how hard you guys work. But, um, no, it was, it was, uh, just *** very fulfilling year. Um, and, uh, frankly, it went too fast, uh, because, you know, because once football season gets in really once training camp hits, you know, we all have that clock, you know, so to be able to start, You know, start, um, you know, have conversations and, and watch certain things. I just didn’t do as much this past year as I did, you know, back in 19. Uh, but it, it was really cool to, you know, step back and, and, um, you know, look at the trends. You know, I, I think our game is so much about trends. I’m just always amazed when you look at *** season, whether you’re, you’re following, uh, game management, you’re following fundamentals. You know, if you see the ball kicked out at the 1-yard line in, in, in one game, it’s amazing that 3 more happen in the next 3 weeks. So I just always have followed the trends because I think our game is about trends and it is our responsibility as coaches to, to make sure we’re constantly teaching and reinforcing and finding new examples for that. So it was *** great year. Just for media too, when you’re asked the question, raise your hands so they can see you in the crowd where you’re coming from. Mike, uh, Tim Ben’s over here from Trib Live. Um, question, just *** football one for you. Um, I’m not asking this from any other perspective except your own personal preference. Uh, in your best-case scenario, do you want Aaron Rodgers back as your quarterback next year? That he, that’s nice the way he asked that, right? That was slick. Um, but I mean, definitely, I mean, I don’t see why you wouldn’t, uh, but, you know, I think just like anything, you know, knowing Aaron long enough going through seasons, you know, I think when players, You know, you know, to see, to see Mel Blunt here. I mean, when guys are up at that stage of their career, they, they need to step away and decompress it. That, that’s, I think that’s very important. Uh, the game is so emotional. You know, what these men commit to and, and what they put into it. Um, I, I think that time away is important. And, you know, and I have spoken to Aaron and, um, so that’s really where, you know, that’s really where we are there. But, Um, I, I was able to sit back and watch the games. I watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and, um, I thought he was *** great asset for the team. Next Rich Walsh, KDK TV, um, Mike, credentials aside, did you feel like you had to sell yourself in that interview? And was there any answer or story that you told that maybe helped get you the job? Well, I, I think, you know, you know, every time you had *** chance to interview, I, I, I’ve always enjoyed the interview process. Frankly, you have, you know, I was on 3 this year, um, had, had, had *** number in 19, you know, and really didn’t have many before that, frankly. Uh, I think anytime, you know, coaches and players have *** chance to talk football, sit down and across the table and, you know, have *** chance to sit down and talk to Art Rooney, you know, about the game, the history, uh, especially growing up here and being *** huge Steeler fan as *** kid and, Understand. I mean, it’s *** great opportunity. So, um, I’m, I’m, I’m filibustering here because I’m trying to think of *** good story to give you, but there, I, I don’t think there was one that, that, that knocked it out of the park. But no, I, I just, um, I enjoyed those conversations and, and, and I know, um, no different than I would think in, in any industry. You look for *** fit. You know, I’m, I’m, I’m in the process of putting together *** coaching staff and there’s so many outstanding coaches out there that I respect, uh, but it has to fit together, you know, so, um, I did feel very comfortable, you know, from the moment that I was able to sit down with, with Art and Omar. And, um, and that’s, that’s *** connection. I know where I am in my life and in my career. Um, the GM head coach, uh, relationships critical, and, and I couldn’t be paired with *** better guy. Uh, Beaumarchand with College of Pro. Michael, this, this question’s for you. I got him. This question’s for you, uh, in terms of absent of being *** Pittsburgh guy yourself, but when you looked at the roster specifically, what attracted you most to the roster and what are you happiest with in terms of the roster? Oh, I mean, I, I love the roster, and I think it’s Omar’s turn to talk here, but, um, I, I think it’s, uh, *** roster that, you know, it, it’s fluid. And what I mean by that, the first thing I always look for, I know in my head coaching years, how many. How many players do we have returning on contract? You know, are we at 52, we had 61, 64, because, frankly, I mean, the draft’s really important. You know, veteran free agency is important. Um, but that, that group of men in these offseason programs, particularly, I, just being older, being in the league, you know, that, that time you have together, those, those men will move the needle more, in my opinion, more than anybody else. And that, and that’s, it’s ***, um, it’s *** great group of men, you know, just based off the feedback. That, uh, you know, we all talk to each other and, and so I’m really looking forward to moving the needle with those guys and definitely we’ll add through free agency, we’ll add through the draft. Um, but, you know, it’s ***, you know, like I said, that, that, you know, Mike Tomlin, you know, and, and Omar, it’s, they, they’ve left me *** lot to work with. So, um, I, I feel good about the direction. I’m really excited about the defense. Great seeing Alex here, um, because defense wins championships, you know, and, You know, the history of, of, of the Steelers defense and staying with the 34 is important, you know, as far as the origin of it. And that’s something we have to build off. I’ve, I’ve been *** head coach, uh, 18 years. I’ve had one top 5 defense, and, uh, we won *** Super Bowl that year. So the importance of defense is critical. Mike Brooke Pryor, ESPN. The last 3 guys that had this job were in it for 19 years, 15 years, 23 years. You’re *** little bit more advanced in your career than they were when they took over, but how long do you see yourself continuing to coach? What do you kind of view this, this timeline as? Well, I think we’re gonna shift the dog years, number one, so it shouldn’t be funny in your first press conference. That backfired on me last time, but, um, So, no, I, I, I think really, I mean, you know, coach Noel, growing up in the 70s, I, I just, you know, when I got into coaching, you know, that, that’s when you, you look at someone you, you like to emulate and, and what Bill Kyer and Mike Tomlin have done here, trust me, I have great respect for that. But I, I really am. I mean, hell, I can’t even get through the press conference. I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m looking forward to getting started tomorrow. And, um, you know, and this game is about winning, you know, and, The game has changed. You know, my first year in the NFL was 1993. And, and, and, you know, the rules have changed, you know, the way, uh, the way you train your team has changed. So those are things I’m focused on. I hope it, I hope it lasts *** very long time. Mike Teresa Varley from Steelers.com. Mike, I wanted to ask you, what was that like after you got the phone call from the Steelers to be able to call your parents and share that news with them? It’s not fair, Teresa. Yes, no, it was, it was *** great phone call, um, so, um. I couldn’t get through the introduction, so I think you know how that went. And Mike, uh, Will Graves with the AP, you know. Why did you still want to coach? What is it about this profession, you know, that, uh, certainly you have great credentials, have you coached *** good long time. Some guys don’t come back at 62, not that that’s old by not as old as it used to be, but what keeps you coming back? What made you want to get back into coaching? I mean, I, I love coaching. Um, you know, I, I think the biggest thing is the interaction every day with, with the players, the coaches, the support group. And, I mean, the, the lineup every single day in, in the work. You know, do hard stuff, you know, with people that are committed. I mean, there’s, there’s nothing like it. And, you know, I’ve, I’ve, I’ve had *** chance to step away and, and look at other things. There’s nothing like the National Football League and they do it at the highest level. Um, you know, it’s, and it’s something that, you know, uh, uh, I’m not ready to walk away from and just, and to have this opportunity. You know, it’s, uh, it just seemed like it was meant to be, you know, on so many different levels. Um, but Sundays are incredible, but You know, Tuesdays, game plan days are still one of my favorite days, you know, so, uh, there’s so many little things about the coaching profession that I love. Um, but, you know, the fact of, you know, getting up every day, grabbing *** cup of coffee and hitting it, getting it, and it’s all about winning. So, um, you know, I, I just, I’m, I’m just fortunate that I keep, I, I had the opportunity to do it again. Mike, uh, Mike pursued, DVE. Your history is offense, your reputation is offense, your numbers support that. What has been transferable from one stop to the next? Why do you keep getting production and getting the most out of quarterbacks? Well, I mean, I, you know, the quarterback opportunity, I, I think it’s important. I, you know, when you, when you become *** head coach, you know, you, You know, *** big part of why you, you know, got that first opportunity was, you know, the position you coached through your background and, and so forth. So I, I’ve been super blessed to, to work with an unbelievable group of, you know, quarterbacks, the Hall of Famers, you know, Paul Hackett was, you know, my mentor. Paul, Paul taught me the, the quarterback position, um, you know, started at the University of Pittsburgh over there in 1989. So just, just had great mentorship. You know, through my younger years, but, um, in, in that coach that, you know, that follows through, um, *** little harder to coach the quarterback today than it was in, you know, pre 2011, but, you know, those, you know, that position is no different than any other position. You know, the quarterback position to me is *** huge challenge because you don’t have the individual time that the other positions have. So, but the rule is finding time, you know, being efficient with your, with your workload capacity and, And making sure those guys get the fundamental training. So just never really deviating from the old school way and, uh, and it has worked for decades. Mike, Ashley Laot is here with WTA Channel 4 here in Pittsburgh. The playoff win drought has been *** big topic of conversation here the last few years. When you look back at the last 10 years, what would you do differently? What do you think the biggest change needs to be right now moving forward into this era with you? Uh, you know, honestly, I don’t think you can really look at it that way, um, you know. Every season’s different, you know, every team you coaches is, is *** bit different. Uh, you know, your beliefs and, you know, your standards and the culture you’re trying to create, you’re trying to move that forward. Um, you know, the most important thing about playoff football is staying in the playoffs. You know, we’re not trying to get to the playoffs, um, and doing the things to stay in the playoffs. Play playoff footballs are the hardest games to win each and every year. I mean, if you, you know, earlier we talked about trends, um, you know, I, I, I, I think that, you know, the trends of the 4th quarter changes is something that, You know, I know I’ve, I’ve been watching the momentum shifts and so forth, uh, because, you know, in *** lot of ways, um, when I, when I look at the training of the team, especially the way the offseason programs are is orchestrated, you almost have to re-engineer how you want your team to train. And I’m, what I’m talking about is you, you need to put more time and energy into the end of the game because, I mean, you look at, look, look, look at the playoffs because it’s about winning *** championship. It’s not, It’s not about getting to the playoffs and winning one game. It’s, it’s about bringing the, bringing the trophy home and that’s, that’ll always be the goal. So, um, I think, I think the trends of the, you know, playoff football, I think there’s been one game this year that didn’t come down to the last series and the whole playoff, um, uh, you know, outcome, and that trend has been in place for years. So there’s not too many games in *** playoff that, you know, that, that, that does not come down to the 2 minute rule. And then as I already stated, the, the 4th quarter momentum swings this year have been at *** record pace. So, Um, that’s what I pay attention to and because it, it, you, we all have the same amount of time to train the team. The players, you know, have the same amount of time to put it into when we’re able to work as *** team, but, you know, how, where, where are you spending that time? So that’s, that’s really my approach to how I would attack, you know, the playoffs. Mike Jeremy Scott from WESA here in Pittsburgh. There’s the legend of the unopened Iron City can that was passed along from Coach Noll to Coach Cower, then from Coach Cower to Coach Tomlin. Did you get that can? Well, I, I haven’t been, I really haven’t had *** chance to, you know, get to the office yet. So, um, but yeah, I’ll, I’ll let you know. So. Mike Mark Caballi, Steelers correspondent for the Pat McAfee show, um, you’ve had great success over the years developing quarterbacks, but you’re taking over an organization here wants to win now. How do you balance winning now and finding that next franchise quarterback? Well, I think you’re always developing the quarterback, uh, and I, you know, I’ve been blessed to have, you know, great starters, you know, particularly, You know, the last one of Dak Prescott, you know, Aaron and Green Bay Brett, but we’ve always approached it as the quarterback room and because, you know, that, that 2nd quarterback, or 3rd quarterback, they need to emulate the starter, uh, because that, that starter is dictating the rhythm and the timing and the precision with the perimeter guys. So, um, I’m excited to where I’m going to, so I’m really excited about Will Howard. You know, I, I think he’s someone that I, I thought he really came on there at Ohio State. Um, you know, I’m anxious to, To work with him. So, I mean, it’d be great to have Aaron, Aaron back. Um, but, you know, Will, and Mason, you know, I’m really, I’m really, really excited to get started with those guys. Mike, Chris Adamski, tribute interviewrilive.com. Um, do you plan on calling the plays and what’s your timetable for offensive coordinator or any coaching staff, and are those gonna be people that you’re familiar with from their past or around the league? Yeah, uh, definitely, I, I, I will call the plays on offense and so that obviously we’ll run the offense, uh, but, you know, these coaching staff, you know, it’s, um, *** bigger challenge each and every year. Um, and I, I just think there’s ***, you know, there’s more moving parts to it, um, but it’s been very fluid the last 48 hours, so. Uh, Alan Saunders from Pittsburgh Sports. Now I’d like to ask Omar and Art, uh, *** lot of the candidates you interviewed were younger coaches, defensive backgrounds. Did you come into this thinking that was maybe something you were gonna do? And what was it about Mike that changed your mind maybe or, or stood out to you compared to some of those younger defensive guys? You know, we came into this, uh, wanting to hire the best coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. So we, we did not, uh, say, you know, we’re trying to hire *** young defensive coordinator or, you know, offensive guy. Uh, uh, you know, we, we had an open mind about it, I think, and, and really just, like I said, we want to make sure we, we found the best coach and, uh, you know, we, we were able to interview some great coaches. So, uh, I won’t say it was an easy, easy decision, but I’d say, I would say, At the end of the day, it was an obvious decision for us that that Mike was the guy for the job. No. No. Yeah, um, just to echo what Art said, we were, uh, very open, not-minded going into this and, um, interviewed really, really an awesome group of candidates. And, um, you know, I think Mike’s resume speaks for itself. I, I learned *** lot through the process, but, um, we’re, we’re excited. Mike McCarthy is the head coach. Missy Matthews, uh, Steelers.com coach, this is for you and Omar. You guys crossed paths, uh, with the Saints many years ago, *** short period of time. Is it surreal to be sitting next to each other in the capacity that you are today and what do you remember about each other back then? Let me go first, yeah, in case you say something stupid, I, you know. Um, yeah, it was, it’s hard to believe it. That was 25 years ago, but, um, I, I grew up *** big Saints fan. So, um, for me, that year was really special because that was the first year that the Saints ever won *** playoff game. You know, Mike was the offensive coordinator and, um, It, it was an unbelievable year and it was exciting not only as someone that worked in the National Football League, but just as *** fan, uh, growing up. But, um, you know, we had some good times, but what do I remember the most? It’s just the hard work we put in. Um, you know, I, I remember the attention to detail that that this, uh, this man, uh, to my right used to put into everything he did and that still resonates with me today. Uh, but it was *** good year, *** good experience, and I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. It’s going fast and I, I just, you know, I, I always remember the first impression of Omar. Um, you know, you get hired and just things are going 100 mile an hour. And, and it was my first time being *** coordinator and Omar had worked down in the personnel department and worked with the captain, and Jim Hazard had asked if, you know, If, if, if, you know, if I want him to work with us on offense and it, it was, it was awesome. I think it, you know, opened his eyes up to what coaches and players really put into it. And, um, you know, and, and I, I always admired. He’s very, you see right away he’s going to be successful, very bright, hardworking, and, um, you know, and I think we just have always been connected since then. Hey, Mike, Jeff Hawthorne with The Fan and KDK Radio. You mentioned defense wins championships. Got *** lot of defensive guys up here. What is your defensive philosophy and what are you looking for, uh, on that side of the ball from *** coaching standpoint? Well, I mean, as, as we build the staff, I mean, we, we, we definitely want to build off what’s, what’s in place here, you know, I, I mean, just as *** whole, you know, um, and, you know, with this being the 3rd organization that I’ve walked into. Uh, the, the first day. I, I don’t believe in the throw out the baby with the bathwater method. I believe in, you know, you know, you know, building off what’s, what’s in place, and there’s *** lot here in place. I mean, it’s, the defense is, um, you know, system has, has been here since 1992. Um, so, you know, I came here with, you know, Coach Cower and then, and Dom Capers. So I’ve always been *** fan of it. You know, I always felt it was the toughest one to compete against as an offensive coach. You know, part of the reason why I went to it. In, in Green Bay. So, um, you know, that, that’s, those are the things we’re focused on right now. We’re putting the staff together, but, you know, um, you know, ideally, we want to keep the language the same. So, um, I, I think, you know, those those are big decisions when you come in here because when you got something that, that, that works the way it’s worked here for so long, I think, I think you should try to do everything you can to build off of that if possible. Mike Jenna Harner, WPXI, in an interview you did in Dallas *** few years back, you said family first, family and football, and you coach your team that way. What does that look like and why is that so important to you? Well, I think, you know, I think just like anything, it’s, uh, how you’re raised. Um, I, I think it just, you know, just the basics, you know, treat people the way you want to be treated. Um, I, I think respect goes *** long ways. Um, and, and I think it always starts with the locker room, um. Because that locker room is *** family and everything we do, uh, everything that we, we do that touches the locker room is, is to me the primary focus every day. I think that’s, that’s how you, that’s how you, that’s how you win. You win every day. Uh, those men are making the sacrifices, that those guys are performers. And when they cross the white lines, you know, we, we got to feel that we’ve given them everything to be successful. So, it’s really keeping the light on the, it’s really keeping the light on the locker room, which is the family. Shelby Casasi with WPXI, what qualities are most important to you as you form your coaching staff underneath you? Oh, I, I mean, *** number of them. I, I think, you know, you know, I have *** philosophy of how to structure one. I, I, I think there’s, you know, there’s 4 areas that I’ve, that I’ve looked at, you know, number one, I, you got to have experts. You gotta, you have the men that know the league. Uh, this, you know, this league evolves. You know, you definitely want to be on the front end of the cycle. You know, you want to be on the back end. So that, that’s important to, to have the expertise and experience. At *** certain level. Um, I think it’s, it’s important to look at the current coaching staff in place. Um, *** lot of good coaches that, that were here in place under Mike and you have to take that into consideration because that’s, that’s part of the fit and the ability to move forward and, and, uh, and, and make, make them part of it, you know, if you feel like it’s, it fits. And the third one is, you know, you got to look at some of these, the young and new ideas out there that, that, that would fit the, the direction that you, you want to go with your team. So, and then you got to have them young dudes, you know, you got to have the guys that grind. You got to have the grinders that, They’re gonna be there and, and, and frankly, they, they came up the way Omar and I did. You know, we didn’t, you know, uh, we didn’t have the resources back then that you have today in computers. So, you know, you slept in the office back then, you did those things. I’m not looking for that now because of the resources you do have, but, um, so staying true to that, you know, that methodology is, is how I’ve done it. And at the end of the day, it has, it has to fit together. Uh, Mike DeFebo with the Athletic. Mike, uh, you bring *** reputation of offensive football. I’m curious just where did you, how would you describe your philosophy on offense and how has that evolved over time? Well, you know, I, I’m, I’m *** believer in, in the tradition of the West Coast offense and the first thing that always came to mind was the offense needs to be built to make the quarterback successful for simplistic as it is. And that starts with running the football. I mean, you got to run the football because if you don’t run the football and you don’t, you know, tailor your, your protection schemes and the action pass game to the run game, obviously, it’s not going to affect the defense and have the benefits of, of what you’re looking for. So, um, and then, You know, coach in the way the quarterbacks coach in that system, you know, you, you want, you want *** more athletic player in that position, and *** man that can extend plays and, and, and play to the rhythm, timing, spacing, and all the things that go into, you know, into an offensive system. So, um, but you, at the end of the day, um, I, you know, You’ll never hear me say this because, you know, I, I would never say we run the West Coast offense. You know, if your system of football cannot take in every player that Omar and Art want to bring to the Pittsburgh Steelers, then you, you need to take *** look at your system. So, you know, we need to make sure we can accommodate, you know, the, the variety of players that are available to us. Uh, this one’s for Omar and then *** follow up for Mike. Omar, um, Mike’s had an extensive time working with the quarterbacks. How much did that play *** factor in bringing him on to be *** head coach? Because I know like you’ve been making it *** priority to find *** long term option, *** quarterback. And then Mike, how is the quarterback position evolved and what have you learned over the time of working all the way back with Joe Montana, but then also recently, recently with Dak Prescott? Yeah, it’s *** good question. Um, I’d, I’d say, look, with everybody we, we, we talked to, um, you know, the conversation of developing the next young, you know, the next quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers was part of it. Uh, I think Mike’s resume speaks for itself, who he’s been around, um, but, you know, we’re excited about working with Will and, um, Yeah, I mean, that was, that was *** part of it. Quarterback play, I, I, I think the obvious is, is the role changes, uh, their ability to run, you know, they’re, they’re running, the quarterback runs, you know, the call quarterback runs is probably the biggest thing that’s changed in the last 567 years. And obviously, you know, the rules, you know, protecting them and making it possible. I just the way you, you know, you play defense, you know, you got *** 7-gap run scheme now. It has an 8th element to it because the quarterback can pull the ball, you know, no different than the 8 gap, 9 gap scheme. So, I mean, I, I think that that is the biggest evolution, um, that, that I, that I think is obvious to all of us, but at the end of the day to win these big games are being played, you know, in January, the, the, they’re still going to make throws from the pocket. And, and that’s why the, you know, the belief and the footwork and the training and all those things, um, you know, that goes into it. But yeah, the running quarterback is, is the biggest change that I’ve seen. Hey, Mike, Brian Batko from the Post-Gazette. I just wanted to ask you, I mean, what, what can you share about what these last 72 hours have been like for you? How much of it’s been, whether it’s returning calls and texts to family and friends or planning the next steps, draft process, pre-draft wise, what can you pull back the curtain for us on these few days? I think the two, the two words that, that jump to the front are overwhelming and surreal. You know, the opportunity of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the overwhelming, um, response that, that’s occurred. I mean, I’ve, I’ve seen more, I’ve, I’ve received probably twice as many, at least, uh, text messages and, and, and calls that I did when we won the Super Bowl. It’s just been, it’s been overwhelming. So, but the last, you know, 48, 72 hours have been about the staff. So, I mean, it’s just been nonstop, um, because, you know, trying to make it fit together and, and there’s, you know, it’s, it’s, it’s, uh, it’s more difficult to put *** staff together today than it was 6 years ago and, and definitely 20 years ago. So we’ll have some. Uh, Mike Rayfo Aaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, uh, when do you need to have an answer from Aaron by? And then the second part of the question is you took this year off. What’s your first thoughts on this year’s quarterback class coming out of college? That’s probably *** better question for Omar, you know, just, because, because I’m, I’m just getting started on the, on the, on the draft process and, and we’ll, you know, we’ll dive into that, frankly, once we get past this coaching staff, you know, development. Um, but yeah, timelines, we have, we, we, We haven’t discussed that yet. Nick Fairbaugh, Penn Live, um, Mike, your, your system has had lots of star receivers, guys like Jordan Ellison, CE Lamb. As you look at the, the current state of your wide receivers and your weaponry, adding in the tight end running back room, what stands out about it to you and, and do you maybe need to add new types of receivers to fit what you want to do schematically? Well, I, I just think like any coaching, I mean, you’re supposed to look at what you have and you look at the opportunity to develop. And, you know, as far as the receiver position as *** whole. You know, we were at our best in Green Bay, the Jordan Nelson error is, uh, because all those guys work so well together. And, you know, this game is about matchups. You know, your ability to put, you know, your 3rd receiver on the, on the 3rd corner, or the 3rd and, and, and hopefully, that’s, that, that’s *** favorable matchup or move those guys around and, You know, you want, you want your receivers to be able to play all three positions, you know, because when you can have the flexibility of that, that goes back to the first statement about making *** quarterback successful because the quarterbacks are trained in conception, you know, in, in conceptual development of how you throw the football. So that, that, that helps you with your footwork training because, you know, uh, but if you got 900 plays just to beat every defense or beat every, you know, that’s, that’s very difficult on *** quarterback. So if you truly want to play, To the rhythm and time of the quarterback, you know, your perimeter guys being able to play multiple positions is, is very important. So that’ll be our approach with these guys and I’m, I’m looking forward to getting started with them.
The Steelers have a new defensive coordinator as the Mike McCarthy era begins in Pittsburgh.Patrick Graham was hired Friday, the first major addition to McCarthy’s coaching staff. He replaces Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator.Video above: Steelers introduce Mike McCarthy as head coachGraham joins the Steelers after four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.He previously held the same position with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the New York Giants in 2020 and 2021.The Steelers are also looking for a new offensive coordinator, with Arthur Smith reportedly headed to Ohio State, and a special teams coordinator to replace Danny Smith, who was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
PITTSBURGH —
The Steelers have a new defensive coordinator as the Mike McCarthy era begins in Pittsburgh.
Patrick Graham was hired Friday, the first major addition to McCarthy’s coaching staff. He replaces Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator.
Video above: Steelers introduce Mike McCarthy as head coach
Graham joins the Steelers after four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.
He previously held the same position with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the New York Giants in 2020 and 2021.
The Steelers are also looking for a new offensive coordinator, with Arthur Smith reportedly headed to Ohio State, and a special teams coordinator to replace Danny Smith, who was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chris Unger/Getty Images
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)