Longtime Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau resigns

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ longtime defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, has resigned, the team announced Saturday.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/554085443634212866

The Urbana Daily Citizen reported the resignation of the Pro Football Hall of Famer following an exclusive interview.

"A lot of coaches nowadays, you're a means to an end, a player is a means to an end getting them to the next level," former Steeler Chris Hoke told Channel 11's Bill Phillips. "For Coach LeBeau, he cared about us as individuals, as people. He cared about our families and our children, and we knew that."

LeBeau rejoined the Steelers as defensive coordinator in 2004, having previously served as the team's secondary coach from 1992-1994, and as defensive coordinator from 1995-1996.

"I'm resigning this position, not retiring," LeBeau, 77, told the Daily Citizen. "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."

He said that he and the Steelers mutually agreed to part ways.

"We want to thank Dick for his many years of service with the team and all that he has done for this organization," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "His coaching helped lead us to many successful seasons and championships. We are very appreciative of his efforts, and we wish him well."

In LeBeau's 13 years as defensive coordinator, the Steelers finished in the top-five in total defense 11 times. Five of those times, the team had the top overall ranked defense.

He also helped lead the Steelers to wins in seven division championships, four AFC Championships and two Super Bowls, while making the playoffs nine times.

Former Steeler Jerome Bettis said, "When you look back and look at the great defenses that he orchestrated, he has to be mentioned among the best coaches ever."