Steelers Throwback Thursdays: Keith Butler takes reins from Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau
Before the NFL officially gears up for the 2022-23 season, Steel City Underground will be taking fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Throwback Thursdays”.
With news of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ long-time coach, Keith Butler, retiring from coaching in the National Football League and collegiately, it seemed the perfect time to look back at the year that Butler took the reins from Dick LeBeau to become the Steelers’ defensive coordinator.
Following the 2011 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts were in rebuild mode after Peyton Manning left the team. They hired Chuck Pagano from the Baltimore Ravens as head coach in place of Jim Caldwell. Indianapolis then pried Bruce Arians away from Pittsburgh to become their new offensive coordinator. Then general manager Ryan Grigson and Jim Irsay attempted to grab linebackers coach, Keith Butler, to insert him as their defensive coordinator. Pagano didn’t get his wish, though. Butler canceled the interview after speaking with Steelers president Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin.
In January 2015, famed Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau resigned after 11 seasons. LeBeau didn’t retire from the NFL, however. Between two stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Hall of Famer was a defensive assistant for the Steelers in 1992 and rejoined Pittsburgh in 2004. He held a position with the Steelers for 16 non-consecutive years (13 as defensive coordinator), helping the Steelers win Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII. He then left the Steelers and served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Tennessee Titans until 2017.
“I’m resigning this position, not retiring. 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.” – Dick LeBeau (aged 77, 2015)
When Butler took the place of LeBeau, there had been significant changes to the roster that required him to make big adjustments. Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel, and Troy Polamalu had all entered retirement and Butler faced the retirement of Jason Worilds and watched cornerback Bryce McCain leave the team. In his first draft class, Butler worked with Steelers brass who opted to use six of their eight selections on the defensive side of the ball. Butler would continue to help rebuild a defense that was much more formidable, even if it never stacked up in a single season to what the famed Steel Curtain had been.
Despite setbacks and requirements to adjust, the Steelers currently hold the NFL record for the most years as NFL leaders in sacks (3.1 sacks per game average) during Butler’s tenure – including playoff games. In four of Butler’s seasons, he helped field a top-10 scoring defense, and twice the Steelers finished in the top five of all NFL defenses in that same period.
