Dick LeBeau resigning, not retiring.

[Frederick]

Dick LeBeau resigns from Pittsburgh Steelers

Gregg Rosenthal
Around The NFL Editor
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Dick LeBeau's legendary tenure in Pittsburgh is over.

The longtime Steelers defensive coordinator told the Urbana Daily Citizen that he is resigning.


"I'm resigning this position, not retiring," LeBeau, 77, said. "I had a great run in Pittsburgh. I'm grateful for all the things that have happened to me and thankful for all the support I had in Pittsburgh."

It's not completely stunning news after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin refused to make any promises about LeBeau's future following two mediocre seasons for the Pittsburgh defense. LeBeau was the Steelers coordinator for 11 seasons, overseeing two Super Bowl champion squads manned by some classic Steelers (Troy Polamalu, Joey Porter, Aaron Smith, James Harrison) and LeBeau's equally classic 3-4 defense led by his zone blitz.

LeBeau was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 for his playing days, but it's hard to imagine that his coaching credentials didn't play a huge factor. The entire Steelers team went to watch LeBeau get inducted.

LeBeau's remark that he's not retiring is telling. It makes it sound like LeBeau has been pushed out the door, just like the Steelers said former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians "retired" after the 2012 season. (Perhaps LeBeau will join Arians in Arizona.) The Steelers have not commented on LeBeau's remarks.

"It was a lot of fun," he said. "It's just time to take a break."


Todd Haley is entrenched as the offensive coordinator and coach Mike Tomlin isn't going anywhere, so it's not like the Steelers are in rebuilding mode after a winning a division title. But this gives Tomlin, who has a defensive background, a chance to make his first defensive coordinator hire after eight seasons in Pittsburgh. Tomlin showed a lot of maturity by keeping LeBeau when he arrived in Pittsburgh, and it paid off with two Super Bowl appearances.

The ending is rarely pretty for coaches, but LeBeau will be remembered in Pittsburgh as one of the most successful and influential assistants of his generation.

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I'm thankful for everything he's done while he's been here, but at the same time I'm glad he's leaving. Our defense is in need of an overhaul, specifically the secondary. Interesting he says he's not retiring...surely at his advanced age he doesn't have anything new to offer to teams that a younger coordinator can't offer

 

[nick87]

He's a sure fire HOFer but it was time.

 

[zombie jesus]

Thanks for the service, sir.

The writing was on the wall when Haley got an extension earlier in the week with no mention of LeBeau.

I thought he could have been let go any of the last 3 seasons really, the defence has been below par in most facets in that time and getting worse rather than better. Personnel can be used as an excuse but eventually the DC needs to be held accountable.

LB coach Butler will step up now I guess, I'm not so sure he's the best guy, it's hard to see what difference he'll bring to the job being under LeBeau for so long but he's earned the opportunity.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

He's a sure fire HOFer but it was time.

he's already in it isn't he?

 

[nick87]

He certainly is as a player, i figured they can add him again as a coach? But perhaps its just once you're in, you're in?
Not really sure

 

[zombie jesus]

LB coach Butler will step up now I guess, I'm not so sure he's the best guy, it's hard to see what difference he'll bring to the job being under LeBeau for so long but he's earned the opportunity.

Butler is in.

Seems like Tomlin wanted the defense to be more flexible but LeBeau couldn't deliver.

Butler was out of contract so probably would have walked if he had to wait around any longer for the DC job.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Id take him at the bengals. Though we don't have the personal to move to a 3-4.