The Pittsburgh Steelers had some pretty notable additions and subtractions for the roster this off-season. Two of the most notable additions for the Steelers were not additions to the roster, though. Head Coach Mike Tomlin made some changes to his staff this off-season. Monday, NFL Network's Scott Pioli made some comments about those specific additions on the network.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin calls a play in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu/ USA Today Sports
Pioli is a former assistant general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, who has also served time in several NFL front offices in some capacity with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
Pioli on the Steelers' coaching staff:
"Mike Tomlin just set an NFL record last season that a lot people aren't aware of. It was his 15th season since he started and he had 15 straight seasons without a losing record, which is incredible. Again, an NFL record. And this year, he's going to have to try to do it without Ben Roethlisberger, that's going to be the challenge. It's either going to be Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett.The thing to me that is going to be the key for the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, is as they figure out who that quarterback is. As Mike Tomlin does that and leads this team as he does so well, the defense is now going to be led by Teryl Austin, the new defensive coordinator, who's been there, but also Brian Flores.
Those two coaches are fantastic coaches. I believe that their coaching staff is stacked. Those two guys, Teryl Austin and Brian Flores, to me, are two of the top head coaching candidates coming into the season as we go to next season. So to me, it's going to be about the coaching, and I think the Steelers are going to be just fine."
Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin calls a coverage during the first practice session at training camp at St. Vincent College on Friday, July. 26, 2019 in Latrobe. Barry Reeger | Special to PennLive
The Steelers promoted Austin to defensive coordinator in February, after former DC Keith Butler retired. He's been with the Steelers since 2019 as the team's senior defensive assistant and secondary coach. This isn't the first time Austin has received praise from the brotherhood that is the NFL.
At the end of May, Steelers' Cam Heyward sat down with Mina Kimes from ESPN for a very interesting interview.
"Just being at the facility now, I’m just starting to realize there’s a different level of detail, not to say Buts wasn’t very detailed, but you know I think Teryl brings a level of detail from the back end and transfers it upfront,” Heyward told Kimes. “And so we are all just learning on the fly and excited to see what comes about for that. It’s not like it’s his first time being a defensive coordinator. So I think we’re all excited to see where it takes us."
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins after Pittsburgh's 27-14 win at Heinz Field on October 28, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Steelers hired Flores back in March of this off-season. His exact title is Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers coach. He'll have his fingerprints all over this 2022 Steelers defense, I'm sure of it! This isn't the first time Flores has received praise this offseason, either.
Steelers' addition to the LB room, Myles Jack has spoke highly of Flores this off-season as well:
“Great coach, should be a head coach in this league, very detailed, very specific, you know exactly what he expects from you. I enjoy it, so you know what you’re getting going into each practice very detailed, he can explain things. I enjoy it, I feel like it’s like having a cheat sheet as a coach, so it’s cool.”
The Steelers coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball is absolutely stacked! Defense wins championships, remember, let's see if these coaches can make as big of an impact as Pioli thinks they will!
Watch the clip in its' entirety here!
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