Kugler, a North Allegheny native, returns to his hometown to take on tight ends coach duties. He previously worked for the New England Patriots as an assistant offensive line coach in 2025 and spent time with the Carolina Panthers in the same role. Kugler also has NFL coaching roots dating back to 2021 with the Houston Texans, and he played high school football as a tight end at North Allegheny. His father previously served as the Steelers’ offensive line coach from 2010-12 under Mike Tomlin.
Berbenich joins the staff after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons as their pass game coordinator and game management coach, a role focused on coordinating the passing attack and situational management.
Overall, excluding strength-and-conditioning and Chief of Staff roles, the Steelers’ 2026 coaching staff comprises 21 coaches: 10 on offense, 8 on defense, 2 for special teams, and 1 head coach. This marks an expansion from last season and reflects McCarthy’s plan to bolster the on-field staff alongside the broader support team.
In addition to Kugler and Berbenich, the Steelers will continue to rely on four members of their strength and conditioning/sports science staff as part of the 2026 setup, underscoring a multi-disciplinary approach to player development and game preparation.
With these hires and the remaining personnel in place, McCarthy’s first Steelers coaching staff is now complete, positioning Pittsburgh to implement its 2026 game plan under a broader, more specialized leadership group.
