Joe Whitt Jr. is in his first season as the Steelers' assistant head coach/secondary coach in 2026. He most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders for two years (2024-25).
Whitt will enter his 20th NFL season – all of which have come coaching the secondary, including the last eight years as either a defensive coordinator or pass game coordinator. He also coached in Dallas (2021-23), Atlanta (2007, 2020), Cleveland (2019) and Green Bay (2008-18).
In 2024, Whitt's defensive unit helped the Commanders reach the NFC Championship game led by linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Wagner was selected to his 12th Pro Bowl and earned his fifth All-Pro selection along, while Luvu was named second-team All-Pro. Washington ranked seventh in the NFL sacks/pass attempt (9.52%) and collected 43 sacks, which was 11th-best in the League.
Whitt joined the Commanders in 2024 after serving as the secondary/defensive passing game coordinator for the Cowboys for three seasons. His units led the NFL with 59 interceptions over his tenure with Dallas.
In 2023, the Cowboys ranked fifth in pass defense (187.4 yards allowed/game) and recorded 17 interceptions, which was tied for the eighth-most in the League. Cornerback DaRon Bland set an NFL single-season record for most interceptions returned for TDs (five) and earned Pro Bowl and All Pro honors. Dallas allowed just 27 plays of 25+ yards – second-fewest in the League.
In 2022, Whitt worked closely with cornerback Trevon Diggs as he recorded three interceptions, 14 passes defensed and forced incompletions on 12.1 percent of passes faced in coverage. Dallas ranked eighth in the NFL in pass defense (200.9 yards allowed/game) and tied for 10th in best opponent completion percentage (62.7). Safety Donovan Hooker registered 5.0 sacks, which led all defensive backs and was tied for the most by a Cowboys defensive back since 1984.
In 2021, Dallas finished in the League's top 10 in both opponent completion percentage (third, 59.5) and interceptions (first, 26). Diggs led the NFL with 11 interceptions and tied a franchise record while also earning his first Pro Bowl honors. He was also named First Team All-Pro as voted on by the Associated Press.
Whitt served as the secondary/defensive passing game coordinator for the Falcons in 2020.
Prior to working in Atlanta, he worked as the pass game coordinator/secondary coach for the Browns in 2019. Whitt's unit ranked seventh in the League in pass defense (216.9 yards allowed/game). The Browns recorded 14 interceptions, which was tied for the eight-most in the NFL.
In 2018, Whitt was the defensive pass game coordinator after serving as the secondary/cornerbacks coach for the Packers for nine seasons (2009-17). During his time in Green Bay, he helped the team win Super Bowl XLV and oversaw a Green Bay secondary that registered an NFL-best 176 interceptions. His units also ranked ninth in opponent passer rating (83.2), seventh in opponent completion percentage (59.8) and seventh in TD-to-INT ratio (1.34).
Cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields combined for 33 interceptions from 2010-14 which was the most by a set of teammates in that time span. From 2009-11, the Packers twice led the NFL (2009 and 2010) and had 85 interceptions. It was the most by the team over a three-year span since 1943-45 (95) and the most by any NFL team since Minnesota and San Francisco each posted 86 from 1986-88.
In 2009, Whitt helped Hall of Fame cornerback Charles Woodson to a career-best nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, 18 passes defensed and three defensive TDs. Woodson earned defensive player of the year honors – becoming the 11th defensive back in NFL history to achieve the honor.
Whitt entered the NFL coaching ranks with the Falcons in 2007 as an assistant defensive backs coach.
Whitt also coached cornerbacks at Louisville (2003-06) and wide receivers at The Citadel (2002).
Whitt, who began his collegiate career as a walk-on, earned a scholarship and was a two-time letterwinner (1998-99) at wide receiver for Auburn, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 2001.
Whitt and his wife, Ericka, have three children, Joseph (son), Ava and Zoe (daughters).
