Coaches

Dick LeBeau is in the eighth year of his second tour of duty with the Steelers, for whom he experienced much success during the mid-1990s as both the team’s defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.

Considered the architect of the Steelers’ famed “zone blitz,” LeBeau was named the Steelers’ defensive coordinator Jan. 16, 2004, after spending the 2003 season with the Buffalo Bills. He is one of six assistant coaches who remained on Pittsburgh’s staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

In 2009, LeBeau was recognized for his outstanding football career, both as a coach and player. In September, he was inducted into the Varsity O Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame, honoring his career at Ohio State University and over 50 years in the NFL. Then in February of 2010, LeBeau was honored with the highest individual award in professional football when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced him as a member of its Class of 2010 for his 14-year playing career as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions. LeBeau was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 7, at Fawcett Stadium.

The Steelers continued to showcase some of their best pass-rushing and run-stopping ability in 2010 when they led the league in at least eight defensive categories and shattered the team record for rushing yards per game allowed by giving up just 62.8 yards per game. The Steelers outrushed 14 of their 16 opponents in 2010, averaging nearly 60 more yards on the ground than their opponents and finished the season with 21 interceptions on the year, the most since 1996 when they had 23. In 2010, Troy Polamalu was named AFC Defensive Player of the Year. In the past two seasons, Linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, together totalled at least 20 sacks, which is good for two of the top four sack totals by a Steelers’ duo in team history.

LeBeau’s defense had a season for the ages in 2008 as they led the league in a number of categories and wreaked havoc on a week-to-week basis on opposing offenses. The Steelers ended the season first in total yards (237.2 avg.), against the pass (156.9 avg.) and in points allowed per game (13.9), while finishing second against the rush (80.3 avg.). The defense was led by Harrison, who won several major awards, including AP Defensive Player of the Year, after setting a franchise record with 16 sacks. LeBeau was named “Coordinator of the year” by Sporting News for the 2008 season.

LeBeau’s impact on the coaching staff was profound as the Steelers returned to the top of the NFL in total defense and rushing defense in 2004. In 2005, his defensive game plans played an integral part in stopping four of the NFL’s top five offenses in the AFC playoffs, including limiting Seattle to just 10 points in Super Bowl XL.

Since 1994, the Steelers have led the AFC in sacks six times and the entire NFL three times, including in 2010. Since 2004, the Steelers have the most sacks in the NFL with 309.

LeBeau, 73, is in the 53rd year of his NFL career, 14 as a player and the past 39 as a coach. Prior to his return to Pittsburgh, LeBeau served one year as the assistant head coach with the Buffalo Bills and the previous two-plus years as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

After five seasons in Pittsburgh from 1992-96, when he coached the secondary (1992-94) and then was defensive coordinator (1995-96), LeBeau returned to Cincinnati as the Bengals’ assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (1997-2000). He was later promoted to head coach Sept. 25, 2000, (after three games) and served in that capacity for two more seasons.

LeBeau began his coaching career as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973-75. He also was an assistant coach at Green Bay (1976-79) and Cincinnati (1980-83), before serving his first term as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 1984-91.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, LeBeau produced an outstanding pro career from which he still holds the NFL all-time record of 171 consecutive games for a cornerback and currently is tied for seventh all-time in the NFL with 62 career interceptions. His nine interceptions in 1970 led the NFC and his 62 career interceptions ranked third in the NFL at the time of his retirement. LeBeau also appeared in three Pro Bowls.

LeBeau was born in London, Ohio. He and his wife Nancy have one son, Brandon Grant.