We’ve got another candidate for the Steelers defensive coordinator vacancy. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), the Steelers have requested permission to interview Saints defensive backs coach Kris Richard.
[RELATED: Steelers Request Interview With Giants DC Patrick Graham]
Richard served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2015-17, and then he was the passing game coordinator and defensive play-caller with the Cowboys from 2018-19. He spent 2020 out of the league before landing on Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans.
During his lone season with the Saints, Richard helped guide the secondary to a standout season. The Saints defensive backs allowed the third-fewest touchdowns in the league, and the Saints finished with the sixth-most interceptions.
Steelers DC Keith Butler recently retired, and it was believed that the organization would fill the vacancy internally. If the organization goes that route, then senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin, who had been in Pittsburgh for the past three seasons, would likely earn the promotion. However, he’s seen competition from Giants DC Patrick Graham and now Richard.
Can he play quarterback?
The Steelers have to satisfy the Rooney rule before giving Austin the DC title. I feel bad for these guys making a trip and doing an interview for a job they know they have no chance of getting. Tomlin will not hire a DC outside of the current staff because he wants total control of the defense.
You’re right and maybe we’ll all be pleasantly surprised, but whether it’s the GM position, assistant coaches or player personnel, it’s almost funny to hear national media bandy about names that may come to the Steelers. On one hand, you wonder why they would even consider it and on the other, just how much interest do Steelers decision-makers actually have? This team is closer in comparison to the Bears or Giants than they are a real contender
I heard a podcast today that said Tomlin has been calling the defense since LaBeau”s last 2 years in Pittsburgh. It’s no wonder he left. Word is Tomlin is a control freak and doesn’t let his coaches have any control. That’s probably why Canada is staying because he is a Tomlin yes man. Steelers haven’t been the same since Dan Rooney died. Art II has no idea and is a wimp. Maybe time for Tomlin to go and start a rebuild from the top down!
So just who was the problem for Arians, for Whisenhut and for Haley? Yeah, I agree that it’s becoming clear Tomlin wants to run the show himself, but they’ve had a prima Donna at QB for years, and one who like Rodgers didn’t want to see the team draft a stud QB for the team’s viability after retirement
Arians was forced out and Haley brought in by Rooney to save Ben’s career. If you look at the sack stats when Arians was there Ben was getting killed. He is the most sacked QB in NFL history. Whisenhut left for HC job at Arizona.