Anthony Midget is in his second season as the Steelers' assistant secondary coach and 11th season in the NFL. He previously coached secondary in the League for Tennessee (2020-22) and Houston (2014-19).
The Steelers' secondary was a key unit in the team's takeaway culture in 2024, combining to record 15 of the team's 17 interceptions. That total that was tied for third-most in the NFL. The group was led by Donte Jackson's five interceptions and four from rookie Beanie Bishop.
The Steelers finished the season with an opponent's 87.5 passer rating allowed was seventh-best in the League.
In 2022, the Titans' third-down percentage defense was ranked third in the NFL. Tennessee's opponents converted 77 third downs on 225 attempts (34.2%). Safety Kevin Byard led the Titans with four interceptions and 106 tackles. He recorded his fifth season (2017-19, 2021-22) and second consecutive season in which he led the squad in interceptions, and it was his third straight campaign (2020-22) leading the defense in tackles. He led all safeties and ranked second in the NFL with 27 interceptions between 2017-22 (Xavien Howard, 28).
In 2021, Midget oversaw the secondary as it added new regular starters at cornerback, safety and nickel back. The defense tied for 10th in the NFL with 16 interceptions and tied for fourth with 83 passes defensed. Byard was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection with a team-high five interceptions.
In 2020, Tennessee's defense ranked seventh in the League with 15 interceptions. Cornerback Malcolm Butler's five combined interceptions in the regular season and postseason tied for fourth in the league. Meanwhile, Byard led the defense and set a career high with 111 tackles.
Prior to his arrival in Tennessee, Midget was the Texans' secondary coach for two years (2018-19) following four seasons as the team's assistant secondary coach (2014-17).
In 2019, Midget directed a defensive backfield that incorporated several new pieces, helping the Texans capture their second consecutive AFC South title and their fourth in five years.
In Midget's first season overseeing Houston's secondary in 2018, the Texans allowed 19.8 points per game, including an NFL-best 17.3 points per game from Weeks 5-17. He helped veteran Kareem Jackson record the best season of his nine-year career with a career-high 17 passes defensed and two interceptions.
In 2017, Houston tied with Cincinnati, Miami and Pittsburgh for the NFL lead with three different defensive backs posting at least one interception and at least one sack. Houston had seven different players record an interception.
The Texans won back-to-back AFC South championships in 2015-16 and put together three consecutive winning seasons (2014-16) for the first time in franchise history.
The Texans finished the 2016 season with the NFL's top-ranked defense for the first time in franchise history, surrendering an average of only 301.3 total net yards per game. They also gave up the fewest first downs (17.0) and second-fewest net passing yards (201.6) per game. Houston was the only team in the NFL to not allow a 300-yard passer in 2016.
In 2015, the Texans defense finished third in the NFL in net yards (310.2) and net passing yards allowed per game (210.4), tied for third in passes defensed (90) and tied for seventh in points allowed per game (19.6). The Texans also allowed the fifth-lowest opponent completion percentage (59.0) in the league. They led the league on third down (28.5 percent), surrendering the lowest opponent third-down percentage by any NFL team since the 2003 Titans (27.7).
In 2014, the Texans secondary was involved in 22 of Houston's 34 takeaways and had seven players with either a forced fumble, fumble recovery or interception. The group accounted for nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 16 interceptions and three interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Prior to joining the Texans, Midget spent the 2013 season at Penn State, where he held the role of safeties coach. In his lone year at the school, Penn State's pass defense efficiency ranked fifth in the Big Ten, and the Nittany Lions joined Ohio State as the only two teams to have three players rank in the top 20 of passes defensed in the conference.
From 2008 through 2012, Midget served as secondary coach and special teams coordinator (2008-11) before becoming defensive coordinator (2012) at Georgia State.
Midget joined the collegiate coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech, his alma mater, helping the Hokies win the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference title. He began his coaching career at Lake Worth (Fla.) High School, where he served as an assistant coach for four seasons (2003-06).
As a player, Midget was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at cornerback at Virginia Tech. As a senior in 1999, he earned third team All-American honors and first team All-Big East honors, helping the Hokies reach the BCS National Championship Game. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Midget and his wife, Tresica, have two daughters, Anaiya and Kaylin, and one son, Jalen.
