Steelers Do the Right Thing: Keith Butler Named Defensive Coordinator

The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted no time in filling their coaching vacancy. On Tuesday morning they announced that linebackers Coach Keith Butler will be promoted to the Defensive Coordinator position left open when Dick LeBeau resigned over the weekend.

Keith Butler has been the Steelers’ linebackers coach since 2003 and has been considered the heir apparent to LeBeau for many years. So much so that when other teams have been courting Butler the Steelers have blocked them.

Last year the Tennessee Titans came calling for Butler for their vacant defensive coordinator position and the Steelers blocked them. The Colts tried a few years ago and were blocked as well. The Steelers rewarded Butler with a three year extension that was up this year.

Although Butler worked so closely with LeBeau over the past few years there’s no reason to think the defense won’t change under Butler. The Steelers defense has been on the decline for years and ended up with the 18^th overall ranked defense in 2014. They ranked 27^th against the pass and 6^th against the run.

On the offensive side of the ball the Steelers ranked No. 2 overall in total offense and in passing yards.

The Steelers parting ways with LeBeau and finally transitioning to Butler could signify the team finally making the changes they’ve been needing to make on defense for several years. Once “old, slow, and done.” Now they’re going to be younger and faster and it’s starting with their coordinator.

What do you think of the move Steeler Nation?

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