Update: Steelers Deny Keit Coaching Staff to be Raided By Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals?

by Michael Bean on Feb 8, 2011 2:37 PM EST in Steelers Rumors

With the 2010 NFL season officially in the books, it's just about time to start thinking about 2011 and beyond. That means assessing what the personnel of the Pittsburgh Steelers might look like when football activities resume, hopefully this spring after a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached. Of course, Steeler Nation will be interested in which players will remain in Pittsburgh, who might be added to the mix via free agency and the draft, and who's played their final snaps in the black and gold. It's not just the player roster however that might look different in Pittsburgh. There's also the possibility that the coaching staff will experience some overhaul on the coaching staff as well.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, who was on Sportstalk on TribLIVE Radio with Ken Laird and Deshea Townsend today, discussed what he's been hearing about Ken Whisenhunt's search for new coaches, most notably at defensive coordinator. Somers mentioned that Whisenhunt willl first inquire about luring Dick LeBeau away from Pittsburgh, but according to Somers, Whiz knows that's a massive long shot. A more distinct possibility though is obtaining Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler provided the Steelers allow him to interview. Whizenhunt and Butler were pals during their time together in Pittsburgh and Cleveland, so the familiarity is certainly there. More importantly though, you've got to figure that Butler would be thrilled to make the vertical move profesionally rather than hang around Pittsburgh waiting for the inveterate LeBeau to hang it up.

You can listen to the segment with Somers right here.

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I think Butler and Lebau will both be back next year

Butler wants to be a Steelers DC not an Arizona DC and I think he will wait one more year for that to happen

by seton hall and steelers on Feb 8, 2011 2:45 PM EST reply actions

Didn't LeBeau put this kind of talk to rest a week or so ago?

He said if he was coaching it would be with the Steelers. He’s not going anywhere, unless AZ offers him something totally and undeniably outrageous.

by theatrain on Feb 8, 2011 3:07 PM EST reply actions

the point is not that lebeau might leave

It’s that Butler is likely gone provided the Steelers allow him to interview. Hence the picture of Butler :)

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Feb 8, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t want to lose him, dude has been LeBeau’s right hang man for a long time. Greatness may just have rubbed off on him, I want him there when Dad finally hangs up his clipboard.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Wasn't Butler offered a D coordinator position in Miami before the season?

Talk was he turned it down because he’s the heir apparent for LeBeau’s position, after LeBeau retires.

I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.

"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton

by TVsCHACHI on Feb 8, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

steelers denied permission last year

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Feb 8, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Apparently they have this year as well.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm

I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.

by TVsCHACHI on Feb 8, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

New Post UP!

Horton to be named new Cards D Coordinator according to reports.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Feb 8, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Wow, I heard he went to Dallas.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

I expected him to get the pinkslip after last season

along with Zierlein and Bob L,

what the hell is up with Arizona? They are like jawas.

I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.

by TVsCHACHI on Feb 9, 2011 3:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

Great Jawa reference.

Ray Horton is crossing the country in a giant rusty tank while getting schooled on the binary language of moisture evaporators to increase his street value.

by Steely McSmash on Feb 9, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

I dont think

Butler is goin anywhere, even if the Steelers give the ok for him to interview with AZ, he knows that LeBeau will only be around another year or 2 at most and that the defense is only going to get better and be competitive and force in the league for years to come and we will have a realistic shot at the Super Bowl every year, Arizona is in a major rebuilding mode on both sides of the ball and I think they have another couple of years before they get back to where they were just a year or 2 ago. LeBeau isnt going anywhere either he’s made that clear.

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I think that would have to be ironclad

My concern if I were Butler is that Dick Lebeau might just keep coaching forever. Short of a direct promise from Lebeau to step down in the near future, I don’t see why Butler would stay.

by theobserver on Feb 8, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I'd love to say he (Butler) knows the D will only get better...

But he doesn’t know that, and there is good reason to think it won’t, even if you’re being optimistic.

As the linebackers coach, he knows that his leader is on limited time (Farrior). He knows the in house replacements for Farrior might be promising (Sylvester) and capable (Foote) but each have drawbacks as well. Harrison isn’t young, and Woodley may be gone too, it all depends. I’m a big Worilds fan, but he is still a question mark at best right now.

The D line which creates for the rest of the crew is aging (to put it lightly) and only Hood is a real long term player, Keisel has a few years left at most. Hampton is here on the short term, and A. Smith might not be here next year for all we know right now. There is no one behind any of them other than Ziggy.

At corner, well, we all know the corner situation by now. And at safety our best options aren’t spring chickens (Clark) and haven’t been able to stay healthy for two years (Troy).

So while this defense could get better, it is far from a lock. We might be in a slow rebuild ourselves in the next few years, one that has already begun somewhat.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 8, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

This Defense Is Great - We Need To Sign We Need To Sign Woodley And Ike First, then....

Would LOVE to see Hines court his old team mate Champ Bailey to sign with us at a reasonable price that we can deal with. Champ is still All Pro caliber (one of the best) and has made it be known that the team that he signs with will definitely be one that stand the best chance to be in AND win the Super Bowl. With someone of Champ’s talent on the Corner and possibly another young FA CB pickup, there is no doubt that this Defense could be the best ever. It would allow Troy to not have to be Mr Everything in the defensive backfield. We could then concentrate on getting some young OL’s (hopefully Mike Pouncey), a young talented NT in the second round and possibly a promising CB, or DE in the later rounds. The addition of Champ would give the young DB’s more time to grow and a chance to learn from one of the best. Plus his locker room presence would be invaluable. Our “O” line will be talented next year with our starters back, the addition of Flozell and the growth of Jonathon Scott, Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. On defense Worilds, and Sylvester show a lot of promise and Ziggy looks like he is ready to be a starter. I look forward to next year with GREAT anticipation.

by Allen F on Feb 8, 2011 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

agreed about LeBeau, not about Butler necessarily

This is a different set of circumstances, but I used to be a fairly regular participant at the Texas Longhonrs blog here on SB Nation, and I wrote a few years ago that I would bet that defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would not stick around Austin waiting for Mack Brown to retire, even though he had officially been promised the head coaching job once Brown retired. My logic, which you can read about here if you’d like, was that it’s never smart to assume that somebody will wait around for an ideal opportunity when there’s a slightly less glamorous but still great opportunity to be had immediately. Think about the difference in pay between being a LB coach and being an NFL defensive coordinator. Massive difference. I personally think it’s naive to think Butler would wait around 2 years and leave that kind of money on the table just to inherit a better defense in Pittsburgh than he might get in AZ.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Feb 8, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Apparently it is a provision in Butler's contract

that he is DC in waiting, and cannot interview elsewhere unless the Steelers permit him to. Art Rooney announced today that they aren’t allowing him to. So until this contract extension is up he’s not going anywhere, unless he is so unhappy that he forces the Rooneys’ hand.

"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 8, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Contract extension

presumably provides Butler with some dollars for the priveledge of that restriction.

by Steely McSmash on Feb 9, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

Don't think.......

that under normal circumstances,that the Steelers could deny permission to Butler if the job is a promotion………….Unless there is some provision in Butler’s current contract,which I’ve never heard of.

by havildar on Feb 8, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions

The can deny any interview except for head coach.

by hadrarius on Feb 8, 2011 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

I'd say our chances of keeping Butler right now are 50/50...

And he may be gone by tomorrow for all we know. Whiz and Butler are old friends, and perhaps the idea of rebuilding a defense in his image now is more tantalizing than rebuiding one in a few years. We’ll see. One thing I know for sure is either way, our FO will make the right call.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 8, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions

Or even better

Arians gets shit canned and the Whiz comes back to be our OC!

by SoCalSteelerFan on Feb 8, 2011 3:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Butler was not allowed to interview

according to a facebook post I read from Steelers Depot

"Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."

by PCISteeler on Feb 8, 2011 3:42 PM EST reply actions

Apparently we lost Ray Horton, the DB coach to the Cowboys aswell, might be good to get some new blood in the secondary at both coaching and playing levels.

The tweet I just saw from Butler’s son said he has been refused permission to interview.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 3:50 PM EST reply actions

(In Arizona)

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Get your own team Ken

by John Stephens on Feb 8, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Guy goes to the Superbowl with Denny Green's crew...

He’s not even that good of a coach :)

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 8, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

“They are what we thought they were!”

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Except that he was able to win with Denny's Green's guys while Green himself couldn't

Not to mention starting Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart and changing the team’s offensive philosophy to fit KW style of play, something that Denny Green also didn’t do and got him fired in the end.

So yeah, Whiz is a good coach.

by CanadianCard on Feb 9, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

It was a joke.

In the same light as Mike Tomlin won with Bill Cowher’s players. I know Whiz is a good caoch.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 10, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

And a good coach :)

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 10, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

lol

I said that the other day, he’s trying to become the Arizona Steelers, next thing you they’re gonna draft a 6’5 240lb QB haha

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

He already did.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 8, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

forgot all about Skelton! He showed quite a bit of promise too at the end of the season

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Most of us are pretty optimistic about Skelton...

They say he’s more raw than BR was coming out of college, but he also didn’t have a solid run game or defense to lean on in his rookie year. Jury is out.

Section 135, Row 35

by AJ BirdWatcher on Feb 8, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

I’d imagine he is more raw, Ben was a top 10 prospect.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

and Skelton played at Fordham.

not exactly a big time program. He’s a project.

by hadrarius on Feb 8, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

I liked what I saw from Skelton, I do believe he’s earned a chance to get more reps as a starter, I am a BYU fan and was happy to see Hall start out so well but I always knew he’d be too small to be a starter in the NFL he’s gutsy but wreckless

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Reckless? More like wrecked.

They won his first start so that looked good for him but it unraveled fast after that. Kid has a ton of moxie. But after seeing both Hall and Skelton play it’s obvious that his size is a problem.

by hadrarius on Feb 8, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Skelton is the closest thing to Ben in the league (well at least he projects as that)

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Josh Freeman might have something to say about that.

Kid’s got skill.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 8, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

True, but he isn’t a Big Ben clone.

Skelton is just more similar to Ben physically.

Also, Freeman is black. Lol

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Skelton is also crazy ugly

but in a different way than Ben.

Ben’s head is kind of like a big hairy potato.

Skelton is more like a half-alien

by Steely McSmash on Feb 9, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Young QB Who Looks Promising

How about Colin Kaepernik from Nevada in the later rounds (if he is available). He can run as well as pass and he is about 6’6", but needs to gain weight. He would have plenty of time to develop on the Practice Squad behind Ben, Dixon and Lefty. We could then let Batch retire and give him a position with the team (he’s earned that).

by Allen F on Feb 8, 2011 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

I like Kaepernick...

Measured in at the Senior Bowl at 6’4, and he is thin as you said.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 9, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

You want to draft a 4th string QB ??

I just don’t see it.

by Steely McSmash on Feb 9, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

For the Practice Squad/Future

This kid has a BIG upside IMO. Keep an eye on him. Batch will be gone; Lefty only has a couple of good years left and might want to go somewhere where he can possibly be a starter. Dixon has the talent , but gets hurt too much. Kaepernik has a LOT of raw talent and would be a good future project.

by Allen F on Feb 9, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

I am hoping he will be available in the later rounds.

We are pretty well set in most positions except CB, possibly OG and a good, strong faster than Casey NG.

by Allen F on Feb 9, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

EXACTLY my sentiment

One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.

by samliam on Feb 8, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Arizona fan here...

Have to say I agree with you on that one…

We’re getting kind of sick of him picking up any old Steeler player/coach he can get his hands on. If he can’t get the guy he wants (Butler) why should he automatically turn to Horton just cause he worked in the same system?

Section 135, Row 35

by AJ BirdWatcher on Feb 8, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Coaches like people they have previously worked with, that is why there are constantly “coaching trees” springing up.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

NFL coaching is the worst buddy-buddy system I can think of. They recycle people so much it is crazy.

by John Stephens on Feb 9, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

well

doesn’t look like he’s getting either Steelers won let Butler leave and Horton went to Dallas, apparently he now has his sights on GB’s linebackers coach.

by artof8limbs on Feb 8, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

You mean Kevin Greene? Yes, that Kevin Greene.

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by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Feb 8, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions