The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new head coach for the first time in 19 seasons after Mike Tomlin stepped down from the post after the franchise’s Wild Card round exit to the Houston Texans.
It was a surprising decision that sent shockwaves throughout the league, with Pittsburgh immediately becoming one of the top jobs available in the league.
Pittsburgh tabbed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy as Tomlin’s replacement, another surprising decision around the job. However, McCarthy has now added an even more surprising name to his staff: Cignetti.
“Mike McCarthy is adding former Pitt and IUP coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. to his offensive staff, per sources. Cignetti was McCarthy’s QB coach in Green Bay in 2018,” reported Gerry Dulac on Monday.
Mike McCarthy is adding former Pitt and IUP coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. to his offensive staff, per sources. Cignetti was McCarthy’s QB coach in Green Bay in 2018.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) February 2, 2026
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“This will surely be received well by Pitt fans. That ‘23 Pitt offense under cignetti was…something. Was hoping to just never think about that season again,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Fine as long as it’s not OC Dude couldn’t even be a good OC at the University of Pittsburgh,” someone else added.
“Oh Lord. Frank sucked as Pitt OC. I had hoped McCarthy would take this seriously, but all he is doing is adding his coaching fraternity friend,” someone else added.
Frank is the brother of the reigning national champion head coach, Curt Cignetti.