Representing the Steel City isn't something Mike McCarthy takes lightly. The first-year Pittsburgh Steelers head coach wore his emotion on his sleeve during his introductory press conference.
Addressing his team for the first time earlier this week during voluntary workouts, McCarthy looked — and sounded — right at home, Steelers long snapper and fellow Pittsburgh native Christian Kuntz said.
"I knew when he walked in the room, yeah, he was probably a little nervous or whatnot, but he had some juice about him," Kuntz said Thursday on his podcast. "And I feel like his accent even came out more than it has ever had. … He used 'jagoff,' he was talking about Kennywood. ( Pat Freiermuth ) turned around when he said 'jagoff' and looked at me and I'm smiling ear to ear. I feel like I was listening to my dad teach our team back in Little League."
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy during his introductory press conference on Jan. 27, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Bill Cowher, Kuntz' guest and former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, a fellow Pittsburgh native, waxed poetic about his hometown and what makes people from the area so special.
"You learn about protecting your community, and being proud of who you are and where you're from," Cowher said. "That never gets lost. So I say, 'You can take the people out of Pittsburgh, but you'll never take the Pittsburgh out of people.' That's why Mike McCarthy coming out there, back there, he fell right back into being a Yinzer. He is a Yinzer."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Christian Kuntz Peels Back Curtain on Mike McCarthy's Opening Address to Steelers
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