Teryl Austin is in his third season as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. He was promoted after three seasons as Pittsburgh's senior defensive assistant/secondary coach on February 6, 2022. This marks his 21st year in the National Football League coaching ranks.
In his three years as defensive coordinator (2022-24), the Steelers rank in the top-10 in the NFL in interceptions (t-1st, 53), interception rate (t-1st, 3.1%), takeaways (2nd, 83), fewest first downs allowed/game (3rd, 18.6), opposing completion percentage (5th, 62.6%), scoring defense (5th, 19.9), redzone efficiency (5th, 51.9%), opposing TD/INT ratio (5th, 1.4), forced fumbles (t-5th, 45), rush defense (7th, 107.3), opposer passer rating (8th, 86.4) and yards/rush (9th, 4.2).
The Steelers' defense ranked among the NFL's best in key areas — excelling in run defense, takeaways and red-zone efficiency. They were particularly stout against the run, finishing sixth in rush defense (98.7 yards/game) and fourth in yards/carry (4.1). The defense also tied for the League-lead with 33 takeaways, fueled by standout performances from Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott.
Heyward earned first-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time in his career, recording 71 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits and 11 pass defenses, which led all NFL defensive linemen.
It was one of Heyward's most complete seasons in his career. He got more votes than any other defensive tackle in the NFL for the Associated Press All-Pro Team, showing just how dominant a season he posted.
Watt was voted the team MVP for a record fifth time after a season in which he had 61 tackles, including 19 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, a league-high six forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits and four pass defenses. He also was named second-team All-Pro and finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Queen made an immediate impact in his first year in black and gold, leading the team with 129 tackles. Elliott anchored a secondary that was opportunistic, highlighted by his 108 tackles (73 solo), six passes defensed, one interception, five tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two QB hits. He was the only NFL defender to post at least three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception in 2024, and the second defensive back to do so in a season since the start of the 2021 season.
The '24 defense was a top-10 unit in scoring defense and takeaway margin.
Under the guidance of Austin in 2022, Pittsburgh improved from ranking 29th in total defense to the stingiest defense in the League over the second half of the season, allowing an NFL-best 272.9 yards/game following their bye week. The Steelers defense also improved in getting off the field through the last nine weeks, allowing the third-least third-down conversions (36) and tying for the second-most interceptions (12). The team's 20 interceptions on the season tied for the most in the League.
In 2021, six different Steelers' defensive backs were responsible for interceptions, while five forced at least one fumble. Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick led the team with 124 tackles on the season.
Austin coached a group of defensive backs that helped Pittsburgh's defense rank as one of the NFL's best in 2020. The Steelers limited 11 opponents below a 60.0 completion percentage, which led all teams for the season. Pittsburgh's opponents averaged a 56.7 completion percentage and a 76.7 average quarterback ranking. Both marks not only led the NFL but were the lowest by a Pittsburgh defense since 2011. The Steelers also finished near the top of the League in interceptions (t-1st, 18), takeaways (2nd, 27), games with multiple takeaways (1st, 11) and passes defensed (1st, 84).
Fitzpatrick was named both a Pro-Bowler and AP All-Pro for the second season in a row. Fitzpatrick had five takeaways (four interceptions and one fumble recovery), which ranked sixth in the NFL.
In 2019, Pittsburgh ranked top-five in the NFL in interceptions (2nd, 20), interception rate (2nd, 3.89%), pass defense (3rd, 194.6), yards per play allowed (3rd, 4.72), passes defensed (3rd, 99), opposing passer rating (4th, 79.7), pass yards per attempt allowed (4th, 6.06), total defense (5th, 304.1) and scoring defense (5th, 18.9).
Fitzpatrick, who was named All-Pro, had five interceptions, two forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 2019. His eight total takeaways (interceptions and fumble recoveries) led the NFL. He recorded defensive TDs in back-to-back games, including a 96-yard interception return for a TD against the Colts (Nov. 3) and a 43-yard fumble return for TD against the Rams (Nov. 10).
Prior to his time in Pittsburgh, Austin served as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions (2014-17), before a one-year stint in the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals (2018).
As defensive coordinator for the Lions (2014-17), Austin's defensive units ranked in the Top-10 among all NFL teams in total yards per game allowed (340.3/10th), rushing yards per game allowed (100.3/8th) and the number of games in which opponents were held to 20 points or less (34/tied for 6th).
In 2017, the Lions finished third in the NFL with 32 takeaways, tied for second in fumble recoveries (13) and tied for fifth with a +10 turnover differential. In 2016, Austin's defensive squad helped the team advance to the playoffs as the unit tied for second in the NFL by holding opposing offenses to 21 points or less in 10 games. In 2014, his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, Austin coordinated one of the League's most dominant defenses, finishing first in rush defense (69.3 ypg.), second in total defense (300.9 ypg.) and third in scoring defense (17.6 ppg.).
Prior to his time with Detroit, Austin served as a defensive backs coach for a combined 10 years with three NFL teams: Seattle Seahawks (2003-06), Arizona Cardinals (2007-09) and Baltimore Ravens (2011-13). In each of his three stops as a position coach, Austin helped lead his team to Super Bowl appearances (Seattle in 2005 and Arizona in 2008), while securing a 2012 Championship with Baltimore.
Austin served as the secondary coach of the Ravens (2011-13), developing an integral part of one of the NFL's best defenses. In 2012, Austin's secondary helped the Ravens to the Super Bowl XLVII Championship. In 2011, the Ravens yielded a league-low 11 passing TDs and surrendered the third-fewest points per game (16.6), tying an NFL record by ranking in the top three in points allowed for the fourth straight season.
In 2010, Austin served at the helm of the University of Florida's defense, which recorded 22 interceptions — the fourth-most in the nation — returning four for TDs. Austin's unit led the SEC in conference games, allowing just 310.8 yards per game, including 175.5 passing.
Three of Austin's defensive backs with the Arizona Cardinals earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, S Antrel Rolle and S Adrian Wilson. Austin helped guide Rodgers-Cromartie, the team's first-round pick in 2008, to a team-best four interceptions in the regular season and two during the playoffs. In 2007, the Cardinals led the League with six interceptions returned for TDs and 551 interception return yards.
Austin played a key role in the development of the Seahawks' young secondary during his 2003-06 tenure in Seattle. Seattle's defense produced 67 interceptions over Austin's four-year span, tying for the 10th-most in the NFL from 2003-07.
Austin's college coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Penn State (1991-92). He held stints as the defensive backs coach at Wake Forest (1993-95), Syracuse (1996-98) and Michigan (1999-2002). Austin was a three-year starter and four-year letterman at safety for the University of Pittsburgh from 1983-87. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Pittsburgh in 1988. Austin played for the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football in 1991, after attending training camps with the Washington Football Team and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL).
Austin, a native of Sharon, Pa., attended Sharon (Pa.) High School. He and his wife, April, have five children, including sons Tyler, Trey and Torin, and daughters Alexa and Alivia.
