The Steelers are shaking up their coaching staff, bringing in a familiar face with a deep history in both college and the NFL! This move signals a potential shift in offensive strategy, and fans are buzzing about what it could mean.
According to reliable reports, Frank Cignetti Jr. is set to join the Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching team. This isn't Cignetti's first rodeo with a prominent NFL figure; he previously served as the quarterback coach for the Green Bay Packers in 2018, working under none other than Mike McCarthy. Now, it appears McCarthy is bringing Cignetti into the Steelers' fold to bolster their offensive staff.
But here's where it gets interesting: While Tom Arth is staying on as the Steelers' quarterbacks coach, Cignetti's role will be different this time around. He's currently the offensive coordinator at IUP, but his resume is packed with coordinator experience at various levels. He's held the offensive coordinator title at Boston College (from 2020-2021) and impressively, twice at Pitt (from 2009-2010 and again from 2022-2023). Cignetti also has a history with McCarthy in New Orleans, where he coached quarterbacks for the Saints from 2000-2001 when McCarthy was their offensive coordinator.
His NFL journey doesn't stop there. Cignetti has also made stops with the San Francisco 49ers in 2007 as a quarterbacks coach, and with the St. Louis Rams from 2012-2014 in the same role, before stepping up as their offensive coordinator in 2015. He also spent time with the New York Giants as a quarterbacks coach from 2016-2017.
Cignetti's coaching roots run deep in college football, beginning his career as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 1989. He then coached at IUP from 1990-1998. After a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999, he moved on to offensive coordinator roles at Fresno State (2002-2005), North Carolina, Cal, and Rutgers.
And this is the part most people miss: Cignetti comes from a football family. His brother, Curt, is the successful head coach at Indiana University and recently secured a national championship. Their father, also named Frank Cignetti, was a legendary longtime head coach at IUP and even held the head coaching position at West Virginia. This lineage speaks volumes about his understanding of the game.
Given his extensive experience working with young quarterbacks and his established rapport with McCarthy, Cignetti's addition is a strategic move. The Steelers have been looking to inject new life into their offense, and Cignetti's track record suggests he could be the catalyst. It's worth noting that this will be his first NFL position since his time with the Packers in 2018.
Could this be a game-changer for the Steelers' offense? It's highly probable that Cignetti will take on a role that the Steelers haven't had under Mike Tomlin before. Think along the lines of a senior offensive assistant or a newly created position designed to leverage his specific expertise. Interestingly, Cignetti shares a Pittsburgh connection with McCarthy, having coached extensively in the area throughout his career. Now, in his third collaboration with McCarthy and his first with the Steelers, Cignetti has the opportunity to help revitalize an offense that has struggled in recent seasons.
What are your thoughts on this coaching hire? Do you think Frank Cignetti Jr.'s experience will be the spark the Steelers' offense needs? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
