Steelers DC Dick LeBeau - heading for NCAA?

#1
Gandalf

Gandalf

The Orange/White Wizard
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#1
By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Dick LeBeau, one of the most revered defensive coordinators in the NFL who is regarded as the architect of the zone blitz that is copied by so many other teams, has agreed to mutually part ways with the Steelers.

LeBeau just completed his 11th season in his second tour of duty with the Steelers, but he was asked to resign after meeting for several days with Coach Mike Tomlin.

“I’m resigning, I’m not retiring,” LeBeau said in an interview with the Post-Gazette after the story was first reported by the Urbana (Ohio) Daily Citizen. “It was a lot of great days, a lot of great years. It’s time to go in a different direction.”

During his tenure with the Steelers, LeBeau’s defense ranked No. 1 overall in the league five times and in the top five 10 times.

The likely successor to LeBeau is linebackers coach Keith Butler, who has been with the team since 2003 and been given several indications over the years he will be the next defensive coordinator.

The Steelers have blocked opportunities for Butler to interview with other teams by increasing his pay and giving him a three-year contract when most other assistant coaches get two-year deals.

“It happens,” said LeBeau, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who spent 56 years in the league as a player and coach “It’s like I’m starting brand new. In this business you can end up in that position.”

LeBeau said he did not know if he will continue to coach in the NFL.

“I don’t even know, but I’m not retiring,” LeBeau said. “There might not be anyone interested.”
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He just resigned from Pits Steelers as DC but is saying he is definitely not retiring. Any thoughts as to where he goes? With the purse strings opening lately, could anyone in NCAA be looking to pick him up as HC? I seriously hope he isn't considering anyone in the SEC. :unsure:

And although I love what JJanek is doing, you cant help but twitch with the thought of LeBeau helping UT with the defensive line we have coming. I dont think there is any way we could recruit better than we have been but you gotta admit it would be crazy to have him in Knoxville. Our zone blitz would cause opposing QBs to defecate on site. Sure, I know he would probably not be looking for anything but a HC position or more likely another NFL gig if he gets back in but hey, a man can dream, eh?
 
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#2
#2
He's in his upper 70's . I can't imagine him wanting to go the college route. Great defensive mind, Will miss him as a Steeler fan.
 
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#6
#6
Gandalf said:
He just resigned from Pits Steelers as DC but is saying he is definitely not retiring. Any thoughts as to where he goes? With the purse strings opening lately, could anyone in NCAA be looking to pick him up as HC? I seriously hope he isn't considering anyone in the SEC. :unsure:

And although I love what JJanek is doing, you cant help but twitch with the thought of LeBeau helping UT with the defensive line we have coming. I dont think there is any way we could recruit better than we have been but you gotta admit it would be crazy to have him in Knoxville. Our zone blitz would cause opposing QBs to defecate on site. Sure, I know he would probably not be looking for anything but a HC position or more likely another NFL gig if he gets back in but hey, a man can dream, eh?
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He is 77 yrs old....just got forces to resign by the steelers......I don't think he would be good for college....may get picked up by a pro team but also might be done.
 
#8
#8
volbeast33 said:
He is 77 yrs old....just got forces to resign by the steelers......I don't think he would be good for college....may get picked up by a pro team but also might be done.
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He got forced to resign? Explain. With evidence please. I don't follow closely, but I was hearing the opposite.
 
#9
#9
For any program looking for stability, usually you don't hire coaches that are so old they may not even have 4 years of coaching left. Many coaches don't make it 4 years at a school but most schools hire them in hopes that they'll win and stick around. Hiring a coach that may not even have 4 years left in the tank is one route to go though. Rather than letting the play on the field decide your coach's future, picking a coach that nature could decide his future for you is certainly another way to go. Food for thought... Lebeau is the same age as Monte Kiffin. Remember how old that dude was when he was here? And that was 6 years ago.
 
#11
#11
volfanbill said:
He got forced to resign? Explain. With evidence please. I don't follow closely, but I was hearing the opposite.
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I'm a huge steelers fan and get all steelers updates sent to my phone...I can't link it but they were wanting to keep Keith Butler and make him the Def Coordinator.....I'm not sure I agree with it but it is about the end of the road for Lebeau and most of our veterans.
 
#12
#12
bowlinggreenvol said:
Did you read the article? It says he was asked to step down.
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volbeast33 said:
I'm a huge steelers fan and get all steelers updates sent to my phone...I can't link it but they were wanting to keep Keith Butler and make him the Def Coordinator.....I'm not sure I agree with it but it is about the end of the road for Lebeau and most of our veterans.
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Everything I've heard (albeit, again not much because I don't care about the Steelers) is that he was ready to move on and unhappy with some roster decisions. So instead of getting fired, it was agreed to resign.
 
#14
#14
volbeast33 said:
I'm a huge steelers fan and get all steelers updates sent to my phone...I can't link it but they were wanting to keep Keith Butler and make him the Def Coordinator.....I'm not sure I agree with it but it is about the end of the road for Lebeau and most of our veterans.
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Butler has been functioning as DC for sometime now. Lebeau was just the guy holding the title.
 
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