Steelers lose defensive assistant

by Alba on Jan 13, 2010 1:41 PM EST

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Lou Spanos, who had been a defensive assistant for the past 15 years, is leaving to join the Redskins as their linebacker coach.

This would make the only coaching change (so far) on the defensive side. I have to admit I don't know from Lou Spanos. For those more in the know, what's your take on this change? Is this troublesome, good news, or something in between?

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I'm not sure...

If that was the guy who was going to eventually take Dick’s place, that is not good news.

"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods

by Steel Spike on Jan 13, 2010 2:13 PM EST reply actions

No i think that is the linebackers coach, Keith Butler that is supposed to succeed Dick LeBeau.

Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII

by SteeladyinVA on Jan 13, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions

And hes being courted by the Packers to become their new D-Coordinator

by Jett on Jan 13, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

Dolphins

not Packers, my bad

by Jett on Jan 13, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

He interviewed

Courted is another term. Who knows if he is their first choice. Cards interviewed him last year, but he turned them down.

Everything i’ve heard is the steelers job is his when lebeau retires but that dude is ageless.

by syrsteelerfan on Jan 13, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Damn, damn, damn,

Butler is unknown, but w/the LB’s he’s coached up in recent years, he might be a very good DC. Hopefully the Big Tuna has a brain fart and lets him go.

BTSC Obituaries

OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Jan 13, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Actually Keith Butler was a Super Star Coach He had been LB Coach of the Year in 2008, but

apparently MT guessed that could be better to retain John Mitchel as DL Coach & Assistant Head Coach. I hope that were not a source of troubles for LeBeau or Our D, I think LeBeau sees logic to have Him as Assistant Head Coach b/c has a longer tenure than Him. IMHO

So this could be an opportunity to bring back Kevin Green as LB Coach b/c it could be an upgrade for Him b/c He actually is (just) Outside LB Coach and in GB they don´t have a LB Coach. But after this season´s leverage that had GB´s LB corps, I think Kevin Green could be great for Us.

Thougs.

O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.

by YeOldeMexFan on Jan 14, 2010 2:30 AM EST up reply actions

My money is on the Tuna hiring his old buddy Al Groh while Butler was interviewed as just one of the usual suspects when there’s a 3-4 DC opening.

by barnerburner on Jan 14, 2010 3:24 AM EST up reply actions

John Mitchell

I thought I had read somewhere that John Mitchell was to succeed LeBeau but I could be wrong, not enough time to search where I might have read that.

by 92SteelersFan4Life07 on Jan 13, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Mitchell

Is really well respected — that’s why MT made him Asst Head Coach.

But I think he’ll retire before becoming DC. Strikes me that he just loves D-line and training D-line and maybe all that aother junk that goes into coordinating a defense isn’t for him.

by syrsteelerfan on Jan 13, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe You had read it in:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/blog/2010/01/steelers-hire-sean-kugler-as-new-offensive-line-coach/,

But some sources also said that maybe Mitchel coud be OK w/His actual duties, so We are not shure at all.

O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.

by YeOldeMexFan on Jan 14, 2010 2:46 AM EST up reply actions

Good thing

Spanos was the bottom rung, young guy. Not a huge loss, and good to see someone who’d put in so much time have an opportunity to move up.

by syrsteelerfan on Jan 13, 2010 4:55 PM EST reply actions

Wow... is that true?

The “young guy” is someone who has been working with the team for 15 years? That speaks volumes about the coaching staff, reflecting the ability of the organization to maintain continuity.

Bill Beeelichick proved that in America it’s okay to cheat, as long as you cheat your way to the top. – Eric Cartman

by Alba on Jan 13, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions