Dick LeBeau, the former Hall of Fame defensive back, resigned as defensive coordinator from the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday. The 77-year-old LeBeau is not retiring, but just taking a break from coaching. LeBeau’s defense was maligned for most of the season and last week’s playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens probably sent him packing.
LeBeau has been the Steelers’s defensive coordinator for the last 11 seasons, spanning three Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl victories. Counting his time as a player and coach, LeBeau has been in the NFL for the last 56 years.
LeBeau announced his retirement in an interview with the Urbana Daily Citizen, telling them, “I’m resigning this position, not retiring. I had a great run in Pittsburgh. I’m grateful for all the things that have happened to me and thankful for the support from Pittsburgh.”
The Urbana Daily Citizen is the newspaper for LeBeau’s hometown, London, Ohio.
According to ESPN, LeBeau wanted to return to the Steelers in 2015, but the team had other plans. Linebackers coach Keith Butler is expected to move up to defensive coordinator for the Steelers. Butler has been a hot commodity in the coaching market over the last few seasons, but remained in Pittsburgh under LeBeau, presumably as his heir apparent.
In 2008, LeBeau’s defense wss the best in the league, but in 2014 slipped to No. 18, allowing 23 points and 353.4 yards per game. LeBeau was head coach of the Cincinnati Benglas from 2000-2002. He began his coaching career in 1973 as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. That was after a 14-year Hall of Fame playing career, all with the Detroit Lions.
There’s already speculation about which team LeBeau may coach for in 2015. The Arizona Cardinals, if they have to replace defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, are the presumptive favorite.
