Steelers suffer their first coaching staff departure since Mike Tomlin’s resignation following beloved coordinator’s move to NFC
One of the most beloved coaches in Steelers history is headed to Florida.
Whoever takes over as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next head coach is likely to have an empty cupboard when they take on the job. As Art Rooney said in his address following Mike Tomlin’s resignation, all of Mike Tomlin’s coordinators and assistants are free to seek employment from other teams, and whether or not they stay will be up to the incoming head coach.
Well, one of the most beloved Steelers coaches of all time wasn’t waiting around to find out.
Danny Smith joins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Staff
“The Buccaneers are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me and
Ian Rapoport,” wrote NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Tuesday via X-Twitter. “Now 50 years into his coaching career, Smith is still going and still considered one of the best in the biz. On to Tampa for the 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith.”
While Mike Tomlin was a mainstay for 19 years in Pittsburgh, his staff wasn’t immune to turnover. The offensive coordinator position changed a ton during his tenure, and while the defense flowed through him, he wasn’t afraid to swap someone out.
Special teams was a different story, however. Danny Smith was hired in 2013, and until Monday, he was the longest tenured coaches left in Pittsburgh. 12 seasons coordinating one of the better units in the league didn’t just create a love among the fanbase, his personality did.
Smith was known for chewing what looked like a whole pack of gum at any one time. Players would always speak to his intensity and demanding nature in meetings, during practices, and during games. Smith proved that playing special teams for the Pittsburgh Steelers was just as big an honor as being a starter on offense or defense.
He might turn 73 years old this year, but you could never tell by his energy on the sidelines and after big plays, and even the bad ones. While he didn’t do a ton of interviews, they were always a treat as you could feel the charisma through his words.
The Steelers will be replacing more than a special teams coordinator. They will be replacing a Pittsburgh legend.
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