Keith Butler retiring

Tomlin confirmed it in a press conference.

Will they promote Teryl Austin or look outside?

sounds better then being let go.

They will go cheap and promote from within.

Ha ha, yeah I remember Arians "retiring" too. 11 years ago. And of course, the great Dick LeBeau. Who also unretired to coach elsewhere.

Austin will be promoted. Doesn't really matter Tomlin calls the defense from the rumors that are being told.

“Butts has had conversations about this potentially being his last year”

Austin impresses me because he was successful as the DC with Detroit and the good work that team turned in. I love coaches who exceed expectations on otherwise poor teams. He's had huge success as a secondary coach with multiple teams and earned a SB ring with the Ravens when the Ravens were shutting teams down. Given a huge part of defense is stopping the pass, it makes sense to have a DC with excellent secondary experience.

I almost think the bigger question about Butler leaving is who will step into his role as the OLB coach? I suggested in another thread that they might promote Denzel Martin from assistant OLB coach to the fulltime job. He doesn't quite have the pedigree to be the man and only the coaching staff really knows how much he was responsible for the success of the current OLBs.

I see Baltimore fired Wink Martindale. What do you think of him as possibility?

Martindale is a good DC but it will be Austin. Tomlin is really the DC for the team all things considered so it doesn't really matter who is the DC.

I like what Kirkland wrote about Austin. Sounds like he's the guy.

Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler announces retirement

Quote :

After 19 seasons on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ staff and the past seven as defensive coordinator, Keith Butler announced his retirement from coaching Saturday, Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

In a statement released by the team, Butler thanked the Rooney family, head coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin as well as the scores of other coaches and players he has worked alongside since taking over as Steelers linebackers coach in 2003.

https://theredzone.org/Blog-Description/EntryId/20536/Steelers-defensive-coordinator-Keith-Butler-announces-retirement

From age 47 to retirement he worked for 1 team 2003 to 2021 those teams went to the playoffs 12 time and won 2 Superbowls couldn't ask for a better job and team to work for to finish out your career.

Great Randino wrote:

I see Baltimore fired Wink Martindale.  What do you think of him as possibility?

He's a strong coordinator for sure. His 2021 season was somewhat similar to Butlers in that he lost some key talent and the defense suffered. I couldn't find a real reason for his exit other than the fluff that the Ravens put out.

The Steelers requested to interview Patrick Graham (Giant's DC). That's an interesting move and I like that he's a younger guy (not that youth should be a big requirement). Graham is looking to take the HC job with the Giants, so it will be fun to watch how that unfolds.

I suspect the Steelers will end up promoting Austin. The Graham situation is nothing more than kicking the tires on alternatives.

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

Austin will be promoted. Doesn't really matter Tomlin calls the defense from the rumors that are being told.

Who's going to want a DC job where they don't call the plays?
The lazy thing to do is promote from within and not put in any due diligence interviewing whats out there.

Mach1 wrote:

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

Austin will be promoted. Doesn't really matter Tomlin calls the defense from the rumors that are being told.

Who's going to want a DC job where they don't call the plays?
The lazy thing to do is promote from within and not put in any due diligence interviewing whats out there.

Better pay and resume experience/time for future employment? All I know is that through various news sources last year and this year the word out is Tomlin basically calls the defense and has for a while. Austin being promoted from within is the Steeler standard... the next sacrificial lamb if the D can't turn things around.

SF you were right. Austin promoted to DC.

Great Randino wrote:

SF you were right.  Austin promoted to DC.

Tomlins next scapegoat.

If just once this team went outside the organization to hire someone itd be a fucking miracle.

I understand your concern about hiring from within - but he's only been with us a couple seasons. This is his 11th stop, and as Kirkland points out, he's done a good job getting a lot out of the teams he's been with. So, I have my hopes that he will do well.

Is it to early to start the "Fire Austin" thread? If we fill in the gaps this off season I think we'll come back strong next year. I hope Bush gets his head out of his ass so all we need is a compliment on the inside and I hope they lock up Adams to a longer contract. I think he can be special.

Shalieve5090 wrote:

If just once this team went outside the organization to hire someone itd be a fucking miracle.

They just did with the WR coach. Austin is basically a hire from the outside as he's only a couple of years with our team. He's a coach since 1991 and only with the Steelers since 2019.

Stella Nation wrote:

Shalieve5090 wrote:

If just once this team went outside the organization to hire someone itd be a fucking miracle.

They just did with the WR coach. Austin is basically a hire from the outside as he's only a couple of years with our team. He's a coach since 1991 and only with the Steelers since 2019.

For what's it's worth,good or bad they did the same thing with Canada. Having said that I feel better about Austin at this point than I do Canada.

solardave wrote:

Stella Nation wrote:

Shalieve5090 wrote:

If just once this team went outside the organization to hire someone itd be a fucking miracle.

They just did with the WR coach. Austin is basically a hire from the outside as he's only a couple of years with our team. He's a coach since 1991 and only with the Steelers since 2019.

For what's it's worth,good or bad they did the same thing with Canada. Having said that I feel better about Austin at this point than I do Canada.

Indeed, Canada is an outside hire too. Coach since 1994, joined the Steelers last year as the QB coach and was promoted after one season to be the OC. I always hear from Steelers fans that we only hire from the inside, but if you take a look at the coaches' history that's a false narrative.

John Mitchell: started coaching in 1973, hired in 1994
Eddie Faulkner: started in 2002, hired in 2019
Frisman Jackson: started in 2008, hired in 2022
Alfredo Roberts (who's doing an excellent job as the TE coach btw): started in 1999, hired in 2021
Mike Sullivan: started in 1993, hired in 2021
Blaine Stewart: started his coaching career with the Steelers in 2018
Grady Brown: started coaching in 2009, hired in 2021
Karl Dunbar: started coaching in 1992, hired in 2018
Jerry Olsavsky: started coaching in 2003, hired in 2010
Denzel Martin: started coaching in 2015, hired in 2016

Only 3 coaches (except Tomlin of course) are with the organisation from before 2018 and most of our coaches had a long career before joining the Steelers.

I feel good about the Austin hire. I also haven't given up on Canada yet. Whoever the QB is next year though, they have to be mobile for his system to work.

Great Randino wrote:

Whoever the QB is next year though, they have to be mobile for his system to work.

They also have to be able to throw the ball farther than 3 yards.

Lokki wrote:

Great Randino wrote:

Whoever the QB is next year though, they have to be mobile for his system to work.

They also have to be able to throw the ball farther than 3 yards.  

SO TRUE!

Stella Nation wrote:

Shalieve5090 wrote:

If just once this team went outside the organization to hire someone itd be a fucking miracle.

They just did with the WR coach. Austin is basically a hire from the outside as he's only a couple of years with our team. He's a coach since 1991 and only with the Steelers since 2019.

And Austin was shit before he came here. Shouldve hired Martindale, but the Gmen took him because they at least are smart