New Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel will not retain defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, and that could mean a legendary career is coming to a close.
Jason Wolf of the Tennessean reported LeBeau will not return to the Titans in 2018 and would likely “be comfortable retiring.”
The 80-year-old has roamed an NFL sideline since 1959, when he broke into the league as a fifth-round draft pick. LeBeau played 14 seasons for the Detroit Lions before heading to the coaching ranks with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973.
And what a career it’s been.
LeBeau spent a majority of his time on the headset with the Cincinnati Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. Other than an unsuccessful three-year stint as the Bengals head coach from 2000-2002, he’s typically served as a defensive coordinator or defensive backs coach.
Most importantly, however, LeBeau is a primary reason zone blitzes are a part of football. He helped create the pressure as a counter to the pass-heavy offenses that evolved in the 1980s and continue today.
Even if LeBeau doesn’t continue coaching, his impact on the game will be felt every fall Sunday for a long, long time.