Hall of Fame defensive back turned NFL coach Dick LeBeau resigned his post as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator on Saturday.
The power behind Pittsburgh’s strong defenses in its three Super Bowl appearances from 2005-2010, LeBeau was with the team for 11 seasons. Combined as a player and a coach, the 76-year-old LeBeau has spent six decades in the National Football League. Prior to taking the gig as Pittsburgh’s lead dog on defense, he was the head coach for Cincinnati Bengals for two-plus seasons (12-33 overall record).
Pittsburgh finished No. 1 in scoring defense four times during LeBeau’s tenure, but this unit finished in the bottom half of the NFL in that category in 2014.
I’m resigning this position, not retiring,” LeBeau told the Urbana Daily Citizen in Ohio. “I had a great run in Pittsburgh. I’m grateful for all the things that have happened to me and thankful for all the support I had in Pittsburgh.”
Teams that are currently in need of a defensive coordinator will now start vying for LeBeau’s services. After all, his experience and success speaks for itself.
Linebackers coach Keith Butler is expected to replace LeBeau as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator.
Photo: PennLive.com