PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – You hear the stories in talking to those who know Mike McCarthy best of not only someone who worked hard to get this opportunity, but is a better person than football coach.
KDKA Radio host Michael Bartley grew up in Greenfield and went to school with the McCarthy’s. Not long after the news of McCarthy and the Steelers agreeing he would be the next coach Saturday, Michael talked to those who knew him best on NewsRadio 100.1 FM and AM 1020, KDKA.
Jimmy Gregg has coached Little League in the Greenfield neighborhood for decades, Bartley referred to him as a life mentor for McCarthy.
“Not only a good coach, he’s a good human being,” Gregg said on KDKA Radio. “Look what he did for Greenfield all of those years. He kept St. Rosalia school open for many years with his donations.”
“Greenfield baseball, he’s been one of the biggest contributors. In his honor we have a tournament up there called the Mike McCarthy Classic.”
“The people of Greenfield really appreciate what Mike has done. He was an individual who never forgot where he came from.”
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Sidney Crosby’s agent, among others, Dee Rizzo also grew up in the Greenfield neighborhood and has known McCarthy and his family his whole life.
“I’m just ecstatic about it,” Rizzo told Bartley on KDKA Radio. “You got to love Michael and as people get to know him more, they are going to love this kid. Just the way he was raised, his thoughts, his work ethic, just everything about him.”
Rizzo described McCarthy as someone that is not only a Greenfield guy, a Pittsburgh guy, but someone who had to work for his opportunities, and he worked his butt off according to Rizzo.
“His work ethic, we were there with him,” Rizzo said on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA. “I remember Michael taking those jobs and not being paid to be a graduate assistant. Moving somewhere in Kansas and when he was working at the bar just to stay alive while he pursued his dreams.”
“It’s not like he just jumped in there. He paid his dues for a lot of years. Anyone I’ve ever talked to who has played for Michael has loved him because he’s a really sharp mind.”
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Recently elected Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s relationship with the McCarthy family goes back to his father, Bob, a former Pittsburgh mayor as well. Corey worked with McCarthy’s family as a councilman as well.
“I was elated,” O’Connor told Michael Bartley on KDKA. “I think it’s great. Just so much joy for him and his family. If you know the McCarthy’s, they are so down to earth.”
“I think it’s a great hire. This is great for Greenfield. This is great for Pittsburgh. He deserves it, he’s worked so hard over the years.”
“If you were to pick a Steelers coach, that’s the guy. He is a local, loves this city, gives back each and every day.”
Scott McCaffrey married into the McCarthy family. He said the family is overjoyed as you could imagine a Pittsburgh family getting to see their loved one become the Steelers head coach.
“He’s Pittsburgh through and through, Greenfield through and through,” McCaffrey told 100.1 FM and AM 1020, KDKA. “He’s a great coach, but a much better person. Most generous person you will ever want to meet.”
“The truth in life will find you. You put in the work, good things will happen. You are a good person and do the right things and do the next right thing. The universe always gets it right.”
“It’s just meant to be.”