Dick LeBeau Out as Defensive Coordinator

[stuntmanmike]

Looks to me art 2 is behind this. I can't blame him since he took over he has pressed the coaches and front office to field the tough team the resembles the teams of this youth. A team that passes runs blocks on offense and a hard hitting violent defense. Colbert and all have struggled to carry it out. Both coords gone probably going to be more changes. Go steelers

 

[thesteelcity]

Looks to me art 2 is behind this. I can't blame him since he took over he has pressed the coaches and front office to field the tough team the resembles the teams of this youth. A team that passes runs blocks on offense and a hard hitting violent defense. Colbert and all have struggled to carry it out. Both coords gone probably going to be more changes. Go steelers

who is going to be gone? Haley re-signed for 2 years this past week.

 

[antdrewjosh]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...beaus-resignation-caught-steelers-by-surprise

Dick LeBeau's resignation caught Steelers by surprise

Marc Sessler
Around the NFL Writer
+Follow on Twitter
SHARE
Dick LeBeau has left the Steel City, but could the defensive wizard wind up coaching elsewhere next season?

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on NFL GameDay Morning that LeBeau's resignation caught the Steelers by surprise, per sources involved in the situation.


While some in the organization were clear that LeBeau could stay as long as he wanted, the longtime coach thought it was time to go, Rapoport was told. It's believed that LeBeau, 77, wanted to depart alongside veterans such as cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu, who are unlikely to be back with Pittsburgh in 2015.

The logical heir apparent for LeBeau is Keith Butler, who the Titans tried to hire away last offseason. The Steelers blocked the move, perhaps paving the way for Butler -- the team's long-tenured linebackers coach -- to take over Pittsburgh's coordinating duties.

As for LeBeau, his future remains in question. Rapoport noted that both the Titans and Cardinals have emerged as the most likely landing spots if the coach takes another job. With connections to Bruce Arians in Arizona and Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee, a consulting gig -- if not a coaching role -- looms as the potential next step for the celebrated defensive play-caller.

 

[GMC]

So as a DC you keep doing the same thing game in and game out that doesn't work....The game changed.. Other teams changed with it. Maybe it was the scheme. We all know what DL can do with a **** load of talent...now we also know what he can do when he doesn't have it at every position. He tucked tail and bailed.

Next year's roster will tell the story. With a unit as weak as this one and a new DC coming in, there should be quite a bit of turnover and at least a few new starters. It will be very telling if there isn't much change.

I can't think of DC out there that will suddenly turn Jones, Worilds, Cam Thomas or Allen into reliable starters or turn back the clock on Troy, Ike and Debo. The defense has a personnel problem, not a scheme problem. Do people really believe Blake or McClain would be successful in press man?

 

[stillwright]

Next year's roster will tell the story. With a unit as weak as this one and a new DC coming in, there should be quite a bit of turnover and at least a few new starters. It will be very telling if there isn't much change.

I can't think of DC out there that will suddenly turn Jones, Worilds, Cam Thomas or Allen into reliable starters or turn back the clock on Troy, Ike and Debo. The defense has a personnel problem, not a scheme problem. Do people really believe Blake or McClain would be successful in press man?

The scheme is the problem though. It's flawed. As I said earlier. We all saw what Dick could do when the roster was stacked. Now we know what he can do when it isn't. You could argue anyone could of run this defense with all of the players we had when we were going to those SB's. Hell the same arguement is used on Tomlin to this day. Why not Dick. It's what you do when you have less talent. We have seen the last few years what Dick does. And honestly it didnt look good.

 

[Stainless]

It's cold blooded that they fired him.

 

[GMC]

The scheme is the problem though. It's flawed. As I said earlier. We all saw what Dick could do when the roster was stacked. Now we know what he can do when it isn't. You could argue anyone could of run this defense with all of the players we had when we were going to those SB's. Hell the same arguement is used on Tomlin to this day. Why not Dick. It's what you do when you have less talent. We have seen the last few years what Dick does. And honestly it didnt look good.

I don't care what scheme they run, they lack talent. What other teams do guys like Jones, McCain, Blake, Cam Thomas and 36 year old Keisel and Harrison start for? Are you seriously trying to make the argument that talent level has no bearing on coaching success? Maybe it was Dick's time to go, but it's delusional to think that change alone is suddenly going to make this unit competitive again.

 

[stillwright]

I don't care what scheme they run, they lack talent. What other teams do guys like Jones, McCain, Blake, Cam Thomas and 36 year old Keisel and Harrison start for? Are you seriously trying to make the argument that talent level has no bearing on coaching success? Maybe it was Dick's time to go, but it's delusional to think that change alone is suddenly going to make this unit competitive again.

I'm saying that Dick has did the same thing game in and game out with the same results. He NEVER changed anything up. I don't even remember any in game changes the last few years. If it don't work try something else. NOPE. Not with Dick. It was always the same old same old. EVERYONE new what he was going to do. He never wavered. Even to the very end. I know. I was at his game and every fan around was screaming the exact same thing about our defense.

 

[Confluence]

It's cold blooded that they fired him.

It is supposed to be about winning the SB. The defence held the team back from greater success. Even in the PO game, the D did not contain the Rats.

 

[Phinnster]

5-6 years ago, we had players, in their prime, that could play the 3-4. Since then not so much. That is not on Lebeau.

Yep, The Steelers had highly ranked defenses in 2011 and 2012. When the talent started leaving and/or getting old- Polamalu, Harrison, Woodley,Taylor, Foote, Farrior, Hampton, Smith, Clark- our defenses started to suck.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. Our secondary is a joke, our linebackers are average at best and we have one proven lineman. Take away Lebeau who was doing his best to hide the lack of talent and it's not looking good.

We draft 22nd overall so it's not likely we're getting a game changer on defense anytime soon either.

 

[Stainless]

Straight up fired an octogenarian.

 

[GMC]

I'm saying that Dick has did the same thing game in and game out with the same results. He NEVER changed anything up. I don't even remember any in game changes the last few years. If it don't work try something else. NOPE. Not with Dick. It was always the same old same old. EVERYONE new what he was going to do. He never wavered. Even to the very end. I know. I was at his game and every fan around was screaming the exact same thing about our defense.

What changes did you expect? Press man with Gay, Taylor, Blake and McCain? Architect of the 3/4 zone blitz suddenly switching to a tamp 2? There have been numerous adjustments over the last couple years, but it's not that easy to make up for a lack of talent, no matter who's coaching. He fielded top 3 defenses in 3 different decades; how does one accomplish that without being capable of adapting? Only in Pittsburgh do we **** on guy that orchestrated some of the best defenses in franchise history and was instrumental in winning 2 titles, as he's walking out the door. I welcome fresh blood, as long as it doesn't stop at the DC (they need at least 4 new starters to get anywhere close to where they were from 04-12), but no one is ever going to convince me that Coach Lebeau suddenly forgot how to coach..

 

[slashsteel]

who is going to be gone? Haley re-signed for 2 years this past week.

I would say Colbert but he could get a pass due to Bryant and Bell's emergence................

 

[Ward4HOF]

What changes did you expect? Press man with Gay, Taylor, Blake and McCain? Architect of the 3/4 zone blitz suddenly switching to a tamp 2? There have been numerous adjustments over the last couple years, but it's not that easy to make up for a lack of talent, no matter who's coaching. He fielded top 3 defenses in 3 different decades; how does one accomplish that without being capable of adapting? Only in Pittsburgh do we **** on guy that orchestrated some of the best defenses in franchise history and was instrumental in winning 2 titles, as he's walking out the door. I welcome fresh blood, as long as it doesn't stop at the DC (they need at least 4 new starters to get anywhere close to where they were from 04-12), but no one is ever going to convince me that Coach Lebeau suddenly forgot how to coach..

I agree completely

 

[STEELERS R GR8]

I just want to say......THANK YOU DICK LeBeau and wherever you go and whatever you do, good luck! DL have done so much good things here that will not be forgotten!

Now as for Butler I think he has to get the job. The reason is pretty easy, someone in the organization has promised him this job. The Steelers have paid him well to wait for DL to leave and he has done that. Now if the Steelers go back on that I feel that's bullshit and not the way ownership does things.

I do not like that way all this went down, what I wanted to see happen was to see DL step down as the DC and move into an advisory role while promoting Butler. Well I guess this offseason now just got a lot more interesting...........

 

[stillwright]

What changes did you expect? Press man with Gay, Taylor, Blake and McCain? Architect of the 3/4 zone blitz suddenly switching to a tamp 2? There have been numerous adjustments over the last couple years, but it's not that easy to make up for a lack of talent, no matter who's coaching. He fielded top 3 defenses in 3 different decades; how does one accomplish that without being capable of adapting? Only in Pittsburgh do we **** on guy that orchestrated some of the best defenses in franchise history and was instrumental in winning 2 titles, as he's walking out the door. I welcome fresh blood, as long as it doesn't stop at the DC (they need at least 4 new starters to get anywhere close to where they were from 04-12), but no one is ever going to convince me that Coach Lebeau suddenly forgot how to coach..

With talent anybody can win. So he quits on the team. Legendary move. As far as his past...He was awesome, but answer me this... Why couldn't he find a way to stop the 5 to 10 yard out to every QB in the league. Why couldn't he figure out how to cover the TE? Even with his lack of talent this team has he is still great right? How many years has this been going on now? Answer....forever!!! And it still happened in his very last game with us. Everyone knows this Defense. Every QB comes out and says it....why do they say that? Even with another DC I can not see it getting any worse. It might but at least I know we are trying something different. This is an ever changing game. Dick has chosen not to change with it...he knows how to coach his defense still...It's just not working anymore.

 

[Steeltime]

I think Dick has finally taught Butler everything......

Good to know it takes just 12 years to learn the defense.

Steelers should draft some 4th graders, begin their tutelage, and have the ready to start in 2027.

 

[Steeltime]

What changes did you expect? Press man with Gay, Taylor, Blake and McCain? Architect of the 3/4 zone blitz suddenly switching to a tamp 2? There have been numerous adjustments over the last couple years, but it's not that easy to make up for a lack of talent, no matter who's coaching. He fielded top 3 defenses in 3 different decades; how does one accomplish that without being capable of adapting? Only in Pittsburgh do we **** on guy that orchestrated some of the best defenses in franchise history and was instrumental in winning 2 titles, as he's walking out the door. I welcome fresh blood, as long as it doesn't stop at the DC (they need at least 4 new starters to get anywhere close to where they were from 04-12), but no one is ever going to convince me that Coach Lebeau suddenly forgot how to coach..

Well-stated. My thoughts as well.

 

[stillwright]

Good to know it takes just 12 years to learn the defense.

Steelers should draft some 4th graders, begin their tutelage, and have the ready to start in 2027.

Agreed. I have a nephew that might look good in the black and gold. He might get some playing time now that Dick decided to move on.

 

[stuntmanmike]

You have ask can the steelers afford a system teams which relied on star players putting up big numbers. the reliance of stars rather than a system is what is keeping us in debtors hell. What ever we do in the future we must develop a system that relays on teamwork, putting players in position to make plays and win rather than a system that depends on stars with big numbers.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Yeah the game has morphed into a bunch of bullshit with more rules and regulations than that clusterfuck obamacare. It sucks fermented monkey balls. I'd quit too.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Look, we all loved Dick L. as a person and as a coach, for the most part. I see the new blood (if they do bring in new) as a breath of fresh air. I think our philosophy needs changed. Was our 3/4 system the only COMPLICATED system causing no rookie play for years, did other teams have this problem? I think it may have been complicated, but not to the point of not being able to play. I think some of that was on Dick L. himself. With new or changed blood in there, maybe our younger players will be able to play sooner, thus realizing sooner payback or bust. Meaning we can better determine the player in a shorter period of time, instead of grooming 3yrs to find out if heis anygood or not. Like I said, I l;iked Dick L. a lot, he gave us some of the BEST defenses ever to take the feild, but I'm thinking goodby is in order. Here's to yaz Dick, best of wishes in the journey.



Salute the nation

 

[Atlsteelers]

The positive about this whole thing is at least players don't have to come in and wait 2-3 years before making an impact.

 

[stillwright]

The positive about this whole thing is at least players don't have to come in and wait 2-3 years before making an impact.

What if Butler is hired as our DC? Butler not being the genius that Dick is...it just might take him longer to teach the system.

 

[steel dino]

The only way Butler gets the job..is if he agrees to let tomlin dictate what scheme he runs...

Not saying that's a bad thing....I am just saying...