Steelers hire Keith Butler as new defensive coordinator
The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Keith Butler as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced on Tuesday.
Butler replaces longtime coach Dick LeBeau, who resigned last week following 11 seasons with the team.
Pittsburgh chose to stay in house for a LeBeau replacement as Butler has been the team's linebackers coach since the 2003 season. The 58-year-old's contract expired after this season and he would have been free to sign with a different team.
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In their final season under LeBeau, the Steelers finished No. 18 in both points and yards allowed. The team was No. 6 in rushing defense, but struggled against the pass, finishing No. 27 in passing yards allowed.
The Steelers were ousted from the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs and LeBeau left the team this past Saturday. It was a move in which both sides agreed that he was resigning, not being fired. After the announcement, LeBeau noted that he has no plans on retiring and he should be returning in 2015 for what would be his 57th season in the NFL as a player or coach.
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- Jack Jorgensen
