The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Danny Smith as their new special teams coordinator, it was announced today.
Smith comes to the Steelers with 18 years of NFL coaching experience. He most recently served as the Washington Redskins special teams coordinator from 2004-2012. Under Smith's guidance, the Redskins' special teams units consistently ranked in the top-10 in the NFL in multiple categories, including least kickoff and punt return average allowed, and the best starting field position on kickoff returns.
Prior to joining the Redskins, Smith coached special teams for the Buffalo Bills from 2001-2003. He also spent time as an assistant with the Detroit Lions (1999-2000), coaching tight ends, and split duties as the defensive backs coach and special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1998).
Before coaching in the NFL, Smith spent eight years as an assistant for Georgia Tech, where he coached running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs. He was on the staff for the Yellow Jackets' 1990 team that was named co-NCAA National Champions.
Smith's first college coaching job came in 1976 at his alma mater, Edinboro State. He then went on to coach at Clemson University (1979), the College of William and Mary (1980-83) and The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (1984-86).
Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, attended Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School. He coached at Central Catholic (1977-78), helping tutor future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.
