Local

Pittsburgh Steelers name Keith Butler defensive coordinator

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that Keith Butler has been promoted to the position of defensive coordinator.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/555031733200879616

"It's the dream of a lifetime," said Butler. "There are only 32 of these jobs on this Earth. I am excited about the opportunity and I look forward to getting this process started immediately."

Financial terms of the three-year contract were not disclosed.

He will be in charge of bringing back some of the bite to a group in the midst of a transition as aging veterans Brett Keisel and Troy Polamalu give way to Cameron Heyward and Shamarko Thomas.

"We are excited to announce Keith Butler as our defensive coordinator," Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said. "Keith has been an integral part of our defensive game planning and schemes for several years and we look forward to him moving into the role of calling the defense. His passion and energy will be important to us taking the next steps to being one of the top defenses in the NFL."

Butler, who replaces Dick LeBeau, had been the Steelers’ linebackers coach since 2003.

For his efforts during the 2008 season, Butler was named Linebackers Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly.

He has also coached for the Cleveland Browns (1999-2002), Arkansas State (1998) and Memphis (1990-97). Butler played in the NFL for 10 seasons (1978-87) for the Seattle Seahawks. He still ranks second on the team's all-time tackles list with 813.

RELATED CONTENT:

Longtime Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau resigns

WPXI

Most Read