The Pittsburgh Steelers might be losing a member of their defensive coaching staff to a rival franchise in the 2024 coaching carousel. Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander is among a group of candidates, according to Sports Illustrated''s Albert Breer, who has interviewed for the New England Patriots defensive coordinator job. Alexander has risen quickly up the coaching ranks in a short time since his playing days ended and could be a fit in New England as new Head Coach Jerod Mayo builds out his staff.
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Steelers' Gerald Alexander is pictured here as a member of the Miami Dolphins.
Breer reported on Tuesday in a notes column on coaching hires and potential candidates for some open jobs around the NFL that Alexander is in the race to run the Patriots' defense in 2024. He added that the 39-year-old could still be in the mix for another job on New England's defensive staff if he's not hired as the coordinator.
"The first domino to fall could be DeMarcus Covington landing the defensive coordinator job," Breer wrote about the Patriots' opening. "Covington, as it stands right now, is a strong favorite, and brings seven years of experience working in the building to the table—the past five as a defensive position coach alongside new Head Coach Jerod Mayo. The Patriots could also seek Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker or Pittsburgh Steelers assistant defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander, both of whom interviewed for the coordinator job, to the defensive staff with Covington."
Breer seems to think it's nearly a forgone conclusion that Mayo will elevate DeMarcus Covington from his role as defensive line coach to the coordinator position. It's possible that Alexander could get a little title bump if the team decides to bring him in as their defensive backs coach. The Steelers already have a potential rising star in Grady Brown as their defensive backs coach, so Alexander might be better served going somewhere else where he can get an elevated title.
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Steelers Defensive Backs Coach Grady Brown smiles as he meets with the media at the 2023 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
If Alexander does leave Pittsburgh for greener pastures, it would mark the second offseason in a row where a Steelers assistant coach finds a job on another staff. Pittsburgh lost Brian Flores in the 2023 offseason as he got hired to run the defense for the Minnesota Vikings.
Steelers' Alexander Looking To Continue Rapid Ascent Up Coaching Ranks
Alexander played safety for three seasons at Boise State from 2003-06, earning a degree in communications. He was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and spent two seasons in Detroit before a trade sent him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a full season with the Jaguars in 2009, he was waived and picked up by the Carolina Panthers in 2010. He started the 2011 season with the Miami Dolphins, but was waived midseason and finished with the New York Jets.
Indiana State Sports Information
Steelers Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander, then with the Indiana State football program, helps run a drill in practice.
After retiring from playing professional football, Alexander moved into coaching. He started his career as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State in 2013, then moved to Washington for a season with the same title. He held jobs as a Defensive Backs Coach for Indiana State (2015), Montana State (2016), and California (2017-19).
Alexander got his first taste of NFL coaching through minority coaching internships with the Tennessee Titans in 2015 and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016. He got his first NFL job on Flores' Miami Dolphins staff in 2020 as their Defensive Backs Coach. He helped the unit lead the league in interceptions in 2020, with Xavien Howard putting up career numbers. He joined the Steelers before the 2022 season.
The Steelers have plenty of coaching decisions this offseason, with the offensive coordinator opening being the most pressing. It sounds like Teryl Austin will be back as the defensive coordinator, but he might need to find some new blood to add to his staff if Alexander departs.
Do you think Alexander will get a job with the Patriots? How would you replace him if he leaves? Comment below!
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