The Steelers won’t have Dick LeBeau running the defense in 2015 after the team’s longtime defensive coordinator tendered his resignation over the weekend, but it looks like they’d like to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that head coach Mike Tomlin is set to meet with linebackers coach Keith Butler about moving up to take over for LeBeau. Butler’s been on the staff in Pittsburgh since 2003 and has been identified as a possible successor to LeBeau frequently in recent years, which may mean a very brief period without a defensive coordinator for the Steelers.
The continuity provided by Butler won’t mean no changes on defense. The Steelers slipped against the pass and in rushing the passer during the 2014 season and there will inevitably be personnel changes that help dictate a different schematic approach without LeBeau calling the shots.
Dulac suggests that one of the team’s assistant linebacker coaches, former Steelers players Jerry Olsavsky and Joey Porter, would be bumped up to replace Butler.
