Just a few days after naming Patrick Graham as his defensive coordinator, Mike McCarthy has now also named Brian Angelichio as the Steelers' new offensive coordinator.
While there are previous ties between the two, Angelichio also provides potential for a modern perspective on offense.
Angelichio, 53, previously coached under McCarthy in Green Bay, and the previous work at Pitt ties him to the city, as well. However, before anyone chalks this up as yet another hire focused solely on previous ties to McCarthy and/or Pittsburgh, Angelichio's most recent work is far more intriguing.
For the past four seasons, Angelichio has worked under Kevin O'Connell with the Vikings as his pass game coordinator and tight ends coach. O'Connell is a direct branch from the Sean McVay tree and is considered one of the more respected offensive minds in the game.
During his four-year tenure under O'Connell, the Vikings ranked in the top six in passing in every season except 2025. In those three seasons, Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterbacks for a season and a half (his 2023 season was cut short due to injury) and the Vikings helped resurrect Sam Darnold's career in 2024.
Angelichio's work with tight ends is noteworthy, as well. T.J. Hockenson immediately put up career numbers when the Vikings acquired him in 2022, then set career highs in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) in 2023. During the 2024 season, Angelichio coached helped Josh Oliver become a more reliable weapon in a season in which Hockenson missed seven games due to injury. According to Next Gen Stats, when targeted, Oliver boasted the second-highest passer rating among all players with at least 20 targets in 2024 (140.8).
The Steelers have a couple of very talented and intriguing tight end options that have not yet been used to their full potential. Darnell Washington saw a huge increase in his workload in 2025, but that came at the expense of Pat Freiermuth being overlooked enough for the team-first tight end to pipe up publicly about his frustration over not being utilized enough.
Under McCarthy, Angelichio can work in a similar way to how he worked under O'Connell in Minnesota. McCarthy will call the plays on gameday, but Angelichio will have a huge hand in game planning, strategy, play design and how that's carried out throughout the week. And, after working under O'Connell for four seasons, you can bet Angelichio will bring some fresh ideas to the table for McCarthy to consider.
THE ASYLUM
Angelichio hired as offensive coordinator
Just a few days after naming Patrick Graham as his defensive coordinator, Mike McCarthy has now also named Brian Angelichio as the Steelers' new offensive coordinator.
While there are previous ties between the two, Angelichio also provides potential for a modern perspective on offense.
Resumé:
• SUNY-Brockport, Secondary coach (1995)
• Ithaca, Linebackers coach (1996–1997)
• Ithaca, Wide receivers coach (1998)
• Ithaca, Offensive line coach (1999)
• Ithaca, Offensive coordinator/Offensive line coach (2000–2005)
• Pitt, Offensive assistant/Tight ends coach (2006)
• Pitt, Tight ends coach (2007–2010)
• Rutgers, Tight ends coach (2011)
• Buccaneers, Tight ends coach (2012–2013)
• Browns, Tight ends coach (2014–2015)
• Packers, Tight ends coach (2016–2018)
• Commanders, Tight ends coach (2019)
• Panthers, Tight ends coach (2020–2021)
• Vikings, Passing game coordinator/Tight ends coach (2022–2025)
Angelichio, 53, previously coached under McCarthy in Green Bay, and the previous work at Pitt ties him to the city, as well. However, before anyone chalks this up as yet another hire focused solely on previous ties to McCarthy and/or Pittsburgh, Angelichio's most recent work is far more intriguing.
For the past four seasons, Angelichio has worked under Kevin O'Connell with the Vikings as his pass game coordinator and tight ends coach. O'Connell is a direct branch from the Sean McVay tree and is considered one of the more respected offensive minds in the game.
During his four-year tenure under O'Connell, the Vikings ranked in the top six in passing in every season except 2025. In those three seasons, Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterbacks for a season and a half (his 2023 season was cut short due to injury) and the Vikings helped resurrect Sam Darnold's career in 2024.
Angelichio's work with tight ends is noteworthy, as well. T.J. Hockenson immediately put up career numbers when the Vikings acquired him in 2022, then set career highs in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) in 2023. During the 2024 season, Angelichio coached helped Josh Oliver become a more reliable weapon in a season in which Hockenson missed seven games due to injury. According to Next Gen Stats, when targeted, Oliver boasted the second-highest passer rating among all players with at least 20 targets in 2024 (140.8).
The Steelers have a couple of very talented and intriguing tight end options that have not yet been used to their full potential. Darnell Washington saw a huge increase in his workload in 2025, but that came at the expense of Pat Freiermuth being overlooked enough for the team-first tight end to pipe up publicly about his frustration over not being utilized enough.
Under McCarthy, Angelichio can work in a similar way to how he worked under O'Connell in Minnesota. McCarthy will call the plays on gameday, but Angelichio will have a huge hand in game planning, strategy, play design and how that's carried out throughout the week. And, after working under O'Connell for four seasons, you can bet Angelichio will bring some fresh ideas to the table for McCarthy to consider.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!