Report: Steelers retain DC Teryl Austin with 2-year deal

Field Level Media|published: Thu 25th January, 12:05 2024

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers are retaining defensive coordinator Teryl Austin with a two-year contract, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday.

Austin, 58, originally joined head coach Mike Tomlin's staff as a senior defensive assistant and secondary coach in 2019. He was promoted to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 season.

The bend-but-don't-break Steelers (10-7) finished 21st in total defense but were sixth in scoring defense in 2023.

Austin was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals (2018) and Detroit Lions (2014-17) and coached the secondary for the Baltimore Ravens from 2011-13, including a win in Super Bowl XLVII.

Austin needs to make at least one hire this offseason. NFL Network reported that assistant secondary coach Gerald Alexander agreed to become the safeties coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Following a playoff loss at Buffalo, the Steelers began searching for a new offensive coordinator to replace Matt Canada, who was fired in November. A list of reported candidates includes former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Zac Robinson.

—Field Level Media

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