With just 32 NFL head coaching opportunities, getting one of them is hard.
Getting a second chance? Incredibly rare.
A third? Simply unheard of.
That's what has transpired today, as multiple reports share that Mike McCarthy is set to land the head coaching opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After previous head coaching stints with the Packers and Cowboys, this marks the third opportunity to lead an NFL franchise for McCarthy.
McCarthy led the Packers from 2006 through 12 games of the 2018 season, leading Green Bay to the Super Bowl during the 2010 season. After a 4-7-1 start to the 2017 campaign, he was let go and left the Packers with a 125-77-2 record with nine playoff appearances.
Following a few seasons away, McCarthy landed the head coaching job with the Cowboys after Jerry Jones decided to move on from the Jason Garrett prior to the 2020 season. McCarthy won just 6-games in his first season, followed by three straight years of 12-5 finishes and a pair of first place finishes in the NFC East. He entered the 2024 season at just 1-3 in playoff games with the Cowboys before a 7-10 finish and missing the playoffs while on the hot seat sealed his fate, as Jones and the Cowboys parted ways with the veteran coach.
The Steelers job came open following Mike Tomlin's decision to end his 19-year run leading the storied franchise following another early playoff exit. Tomlin's decision to step away from coaching entirely for the year came after an incredible run of 19-straight non-losing seasons for the future surefire Hall of Famer.
Landing the former head coach of Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh may give the franchise a solid chance to bring the veteran quarterback back for a second season, but only time will tell that.
McCarthy, a native of Pittsburgh, who began his career as a graduate assistant with the Pitt Panthers program in the late 80's, now becomes the fourth head coach for the franchise since 1969, joining Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin.
He brings an overall head coaching record of 185-123-2, with an 11-11 postseason record in NFL play.
A veteran head coach, McCarthy was an offensive coordinator for the Saints and 49ers before landing the head coaching opportunity in Green Bay.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.