As has been reported, the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Al Everest as special teams coordinator, making him the first coach to hold such a title.
Everest most recently coached in San Francisco, with mixed success. He did however win special teams coach of the year honors in 2002 when he was with the New Orleans Sanits.
Al Everest replaces Bob Ligashesky, whom Mike Tomlin fired immediately following the Steelers 2009 season. Under Ligashesky, in 2007, the Steelers gave up touchdowns on both punt returns during the regular season, both of which proved to be costly. In the Steelers playoff loss to Jacksonville, Ligashesky’s also gave up a 96 yard return that set up the Jaguar’s first touchdown.
- Mike Tomlin stood by his special teams coach, claiming that special teams was more about “want to.”
The Steelers special teams did improve somewhat in 2008, but they became a chronic weakness this past season, costing the Steelers at least two games if not more.
Mike Tomlin continues to interview candidates for the vacant defensive assistant position and the vacant wide receivers position.
