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3 Steelers coaches the team can’t afford to lose in 2021

By Andrew Falce

Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers gestures from the sideline during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images)
Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers gestures from the sideline during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Teryl Austin

For much of the 2010s, the Steelers fielded one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Corners were always getting burnt and safeties were always missing tackles which crippled an already aging defense. The team tried to fix that by signing former UCLA coach Tom Bradley in 2017, but he never had the impact the team hoped for. Instead, it was the signing of Teryl Austin as a defensive back coach/defensive assistant that made the difference for this secondary.

In the two years that he has been coaching this group, the Steelers secondary has been in the top five in terms of passing defense. While this group still has its warts, it has gone from a laughingstock to one of the most feared units in the NFL. Again, a part of this is talent as the team invested heavily in this group since he has been here, but the effects of his coaching have been apparent.

In particular, the Steelers have seen the growth of Terrell Edmunds, Mike Hilton, and Cameron Sutton into key defensive pieces. Edmunds is coming off his best season as a pro, and while he has his aches in coverage, he is a far better player now than he was before. Hilton was a blossoming player when Austin was brought in and has since become the most dynamic slot corner for the team. As for Sutton, he is coming off his strongest season as a pro and has developed as both an outside and inside corner.

With Bradley’s contract expiring after this year, it makes sense for the Steelers to move Austin full-time to defensive backs coach. That said, given his experience as a coach, it is possible another team comes calling on him as a defensive coordinator. While Butler is safe, his time with the team could be over once the current stable of members (mainly, Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and Ben Roethlisberger) decide to leave. Austin could position himself for the coordinator spot then, but the team shouldn’t let him leave before then.

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