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Dick LeBeau Out as Defensive Coordinator

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SteelerFan448

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Gerry Dulac @gerrydulac
Dick LeBeau out as defensive coordinator. Says he and #Steelers have agreed to mutually part ways: "Time to go in a different direction."
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Gerry Dulac @gerrydulac
Dick LeBeau out as defensive coordinator. Says he and #Steelers have agreed to mutually part ways: "Time to go in a different direction."
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Well, now we will see ...
 
Figured that would be the case but I thought they would have it as a "retirement". I can't see him continuing to coach somewhere else.
 
http://www.urbanacitizen.com/news/b...eau-resigns-as-Steelers-defensive-coordinator

Urbana Daily Citizen on Saturday that he is resigning as defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.


“I’m resigning this position, not retiring,” LeBeau, 77, said in an exclusive interview with the Daily Citizen. “I had a great run in Pittsburgh. I’m grateful for all the things that have happened to me and thankful for all the support I had in Pittsburgh.”


During his tenure with the Steelers over the last 11 years, the team won two Super Bowls and his defenses were usually ranked among the best in the league.


“It was a lot of fun,” he said.


The Steelers went 11-5 and won the AFC North title this season, but injuries to key players and inexperience at several positions hampered the defense and led to speculation about LeBeau’s future with the team.


“It’s just time to make a break,” he said.


LeBeau, a London, Ohio, native, played collegiately at Ohio State and was a member of OSU’s 1957 national championship team.


He went on to have a Hall of Fame career as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions from 1959-72.


LeBeau has been an assistant or head coach in the NFL since 1973.


He was on the Cincinnati Bengals’ coaching staff during two Super Bowl seasons in the 1980s and was the head coach of the Bengals from 2000-2002.


LeBeau had two tenures as Steelers’ defensive coordinator – from 1995-96 and the most recent, which began in 2004 and included victories in Super Bowls XL and XLIII.


LeBeau, known as the architect of the modern zone blitz defensive scheme, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.


Steve Stout can be reached at 937-652-1331 ext. 1776 or on Twitter @udcstout.
 
promote Butler?
 
Like I said a while ago, they should "retire" him but also apologize for drafting **** defensive players for the last few years.
 
I know he is a HOFer but who is going to want to hire a 77 year old? I wouldn't. You need someone that will be there for at least 5 years - especially with his system and it taking 2 to 3 years to learn it. I'd be surprised if he gets another position.
 
I wouldn't promote Butler. I'd look outside the organization for something new. This might be Tomlin's chance to go to the defense he used in Tampa.
 
Superman said:
promote Butler?
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That's one of the things we will see. I'd hope that they at least interview other candidates before just handing him the job.
 
Well this is what everyone wanted since his ways are "old and antiquated". Let's see what somebody with "modern football knowledge" can do with this defensive roster.


As TDX said, is this Tomlin taking advantage of this to switch to a 4-3 then? Yay or nay?
 
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They didnt annouce Butler?

Thanks Dick you were the best.
 
TDX27 said:
I wouldn't promote Butler. I'd look outside the organization for something new. This might be Tomlin's chance to go to the defense he used in Tampa.
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Finally complete the transformation to running a soft defense.
 
we dont know that Butler would be soft. Hell, he could even be more creative than Dick was.
 
It's unfortunate he did not even get an "Arians retirement," as it seems like a blatant firing. If Dick was adamant about staying with Tombert wanting to go in a different direction, there's really no other way to handle it.

If they're sincere about inserting a fresh perspective, they really need to go outside the organization, IMO.
 
Superman said:
we dont know that Butler would be soft. Hell, he could even be more creative than Dick was.
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I took that to mean he was saying Tomlin ran a soft run defense in Tampa. I can't say I remember.
 
I find intersting they didnt just annouce Butler. Are they looking outside the orginization?
 
No automatic promotion for Butler. He should compete with other candidates after extensive vetting of all who want the job.
 
Supersteeler said:
Well this is what everyone wanted since his ways are "old and antiquated". Let's see what somebody with "modern football knowledge" can do with this defensive roster.


As TDX said, is this Tomlin taking advantage of this to switch to a 4-3 then? Yay or nay?
Click to expand...


There's no better time than now, as based on the personnel, they're really no closer to having a good 3-4 front than a 4-3 front.
 
Supersteeler said:
I took that to mean he was saying Tomlin ran a soft run defense in Tampa. I can't say I remember.
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Awful hard for Tomlin to have run "any" defense in Tampa as he was just a DB coach there. Now if you wanna say Minnesota ....
 
God speed DL, love everything you've done. But it was time. This is where we will truly see what kind of mettle Tomlin has.
 
antdrewjosh said:
I find intersting they didnt just annouce Butler. Are they looking outside the orginization?
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probably to allow the focus to be on Dick at this time?
if there's a handshake agreement, then Butler will be announced soon.
 
Punxsutawney said:
There's no better time than now, as based on the personnel, they're really no closer to having a good 3-4 front than a 4-3 front.
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They probably do have better D Lineman than LB's on the whole at this point, so I don't think it's a huge stretch.
 
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