After a season where the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the league in interceptions, Defensive Backs Coach Grady Brown has been selected to be the defensive coordinator of the national team in the Senior Bowl. The new format allows for coaches from all across the league to get an opportunity to coach, as opposed to whole coaching staffs from two separate teams.
With the Steelers season already over, Grady Brown will be able to focus on working with the Senior Bowl participants to get them ready, not just for the game, but for the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Grady Brown as their defensive backs' coach on February 16, 2021/ Photo Credit: Louisville Athletics
Grady Brown has now spent a season as the defensive backs coach for the Steelers, with him taking over Teryl Austin’s role, once he was promoted to defensive coordinator. In that season, the Steelers had an NFL-leading 20 interceptions, although almost all of them came when TJ Watt was healthy and in the lineup. Either way, 20 interceptions in a 17-game season is impressive for any team, and it’s why Brown got the nod to run the defense for this group of hopeful players.
Before getting hired by the Steelers, Brown was a coach for the University of Louisville, with the same position there as he currently has in Pittsburgh. Normally, that kind of transition doesn’t work well for the Steelers (cough cough Adrian Klemm cough cough), but the continued development of guys like Cameron Sutton and Terrell Edmunds has shown that Grady Brown does deserve a spot on an NFL coaching staff at least.
Photo Credit: Steelers.com
How Does This Benefit The Steelers?
This is also a great chance for Brown to get some front-and-center and early scouting in for the Steelers. With Brown running the whole defense, he’ll get a great look at each defensive player, allowing him to get a good report to Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin on what to expect from the players. It’s easier to assess talent and ability to learn from directly working with them in practice and games, as opposed to sitting in the stands or suites.
Jan 27, 2018; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Kyle Lauletta of Richmond (5) signals to the sidelines against the North squad during the fourth quarter at the 2018 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium / Photo Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
It’s well known that Tomlin and his general manager, now Omar Khan, will specifically attend pro days of players they want to draft in round one. The reports that Grady Brown will bring back will help Tomlin and Khan decide whose pro day they want to attend. Of course, watching the senior bowl helps, but as mentioned before, teams can only get so much information from watching the drives in person. Grady Brown’s first-hand experiences with these aspiring athletes can do much more than a handful of scouts with laptops on game day can do.
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 24: Director of Football & Business Operations Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline before a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 24, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 26-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Another little obvious bit is that if the Steelers do draft one of these players, they already have a good idea of what to expect from Brown. The players will know his expectations for them, as well as the Steelers’ expectations. Setting the standard early on can save some trouble in rookie camp and training camp. Other Steelers coaches, now and in the future, should try to get accepted as Senior Bowl coaches in the event that they miss the playoffs or get eliminated in the wild-card round. This is a great opportunity for Grady Brown and the Steelers to get a head start in scouting.
What do you think of Grady Brown representing the Pittsburgh Steelers while coaching the Senior Bowl? Let us know in the comments.
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