McCarthy is now the head coach in Pittsburgh, but CeeDee knows "Big Mike" played a huge role in making him the player he is today.
Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb has been in the NFL for six years, and unlike some players in the league, he has been part of a team that has often changed head coaches.
Lamb has had just two.
Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer.
With McCarthy, Lamb was drafted and developed by "Big Mike" as he became one of the NFL's best receivers under his watch.
The Cowboys posted three straight 12-5 seasons under McCarthy, something Lamb played a huge role in.
But in 2024, things went sideways, and McCarthy was moved on, allowing Schottenheimer to assume the head coaching role. After a year out of the game, McCarthy landed on his feet as head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And speaking on the Ross Tucker podcast, Lamb revealed what Steelers fans and players can expect from McCarthy.
"Oh my God, a great guy, that's my man, I love Mike," Lamb smiling said. "He's my only coach that I've had besides Schotty. As soon as you walk in the building, you're going to feel his energy, you're going to feel like what he wants to do.
"He wants to go vertical with the ball. I'm going [to] tell you that right now. So, he's going to do everything. He's going to tailor his offense and get things situated."
So that is a small insight into what the Steelers are getting from McCarthy.
As for Lamb, under McCarthy's watch, he developed from a bit-part player on offense in his rookie season to a devastating All-Pro in 2023 that posted 1,749 yards and 12 TDs from 135 receptions.
In fact, in four of Lamb's five seasons under McCarthy, he surpassed 1,000 yards (rookie season 935 yards).
"Everything that he's done, it's been out of love, that's another guy that I would run through a wall for," Lamb said. "Mike did a great job of developing me my first five years in the league, and I knew what to prepare for going forward."
So it is clear Lamb still has fond memories of McCarthy as his head coach, and now that "Big Mike" is in the big chair in Pittsburgh, he gets another shot in the NFL.
And you get the sense that Lamb couldn't be happier for his former coach.