Chuck Knoll coached the Steelers for 23 years, and he retired at the age of 59.

Bill Cowher coached the Pittsburgh Steelers for 15 years, and he retired at 49.

Mike Tomlin coached the Steelers for 19 years, and he has, at least for now, retired at the age of 53.

So all pretty similar, long runs, and their careers ended sometimes in their 50s.

Cower 49, Tomlin 53, and Noel 59.

Mike McCarthy is 62.

So Mike McCarthy is taking over a job at an older rate significantly older,

much more so than for Cowher and Tomlin,

significantly older than when they retired, he's taking over a job at a much older age,

almost doubled the age of when those three guys were hired. And he's also taking over a job

that has a track life or track record of 23 years, 15 years, and 19 years.

And for him the last 15 years, which is on the low end,

he'd have to coach until he's 77.

And that's the part, like for any other team,

I get it, it's a great hire,

but it is so different, Teak,

from what the Steelers have done,

that that's the thing I'm having a tough time understanding.

But I think this could be an understanding of a new era of our sport as it pertains to how

coaches are hired and retained.

Because we know this happens every four or five or so years.

The league changes, right?

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