The Pittsburgh Steelers have interviewed a new coach to help their coaching staff after the loss of special teams coordinator Danny Smith. Smith was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Steelers are now desperately looking for a similar quality of coach to fill the massive void created by the loss of Smith. New Head Coach Mike McCarthy has been filling out his coaching staff and is looking to hire the team's next special teams coordinator.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers interviewed former Buffalo Bills Special Teams Coordinator Matthew Smiley for the same job. Smiley has been a special teams coach in the NFL since 2013. He would bring a ton of experience to the team, which is looking for a quality coach on the special teams side of the ball.
The Steelers have arguably the best kicker in the league, Chris Boswell, and had an All-Pro specialist in Ben Skowronek. This is a huge plus for any coordinator looking to coach the team and makes the job even more enticing.
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images
Steelers' star kicker Chris Boswell kicks a 60-yard field goal to help Pittsburgh take down the New York Jets in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Smiley was tenured with the Bills since 2017 and climbed the ranks, starting as the team's assistant special teams coach for five seasons. He took the STC job in 2022, where the unit was stable and a pivotal part of the Bills' continued success. Smiley was fired ahead of the 2025 season after some miscues, such as too many men on the field during field goals. However, now-former Head Coach Sean McDermott had good things to say about his former coordinator.
"Matthew has done a nice job," McDermott said. When asked if he would bring Smiley back, he said, 'Yes.'"
The Bills decided not to bring back Smiley. However, this praise proves that Smiley wasn't necessarily the entire issue with the Bills' special teams unit.
Doug Murray / AP Photo
Former Bills Special Teams Coordinator Matthew Smiley
This interview comes in the wake of McCarthy wanting to fill out his staff before the 2026 NFL Draft. Smiley offers a ton of experience as he worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an assistant as well. McCarthy has made it a point of emphasis to hire coaches with a significant coaching resume and plenty of experience. Smiley brings just that and could be a great hire for the Steelers, with the goal of replacing someone like Smith was was around for a long time.
Who Should The Steelers Hire As Their Special Teams Coordinator?
The Steelers need to maintain their high-level production on special teams after the departure of Smith. Smith was with the Steelers for 13 seasons and helped coach the unit to consistently be one of the league's best. Smith helped his kicker, Boswell, to develop into a Pro Bowler at the position. The Steelers will need to find a solid replacement for Smith and have a few options to do so.
Steelers.com
Former Browns WR Kadarius Toney muffs the punt, and Steelers' Ben Skowronek recovers it.
One of the candidates is obviously Smiley, who has an impressive resume already. The Steelers checked in on Bubba Ventrone, but he recently committed to the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers could look to hire internally for the position or look elsewhere. However, Smiley is the most qualified for the position, as his resume dictates.
Smiley will be another coordinator with a ton of experience on the staff. McCarthy has looked for experience when making his hires, believing that is what is needed to help a roster that wants to continue winning.
McCarthy has made it known that he wants the Steelers to remain competitive in 2026. Smiley would keep the group at that mark and would continue to help the group grow through his expertise. With an established core already with the likes of Boswell and Skowronek, it should be an easy transition for any coach that takes the job.
What do you think? Who should be the new special teams coordinator? Let us know below!
#SteelerNation