The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a head coach for the first time in 19 seasons. Mike Tomlin informed team owner Art Rooney II that he was stepping down from the role the day after Pittsburgh’s season concluded with a Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans.
The Steelers have only three head coaches since the merger, a testament to the franchise’s ability to identify and hire leaders. However, unlike when the organization hired Tomin, the next head coach will be assembling his own staff.
Tomlin’s assistants are now looking for jobs elsewhere, and another long-tentured Pittsburgh staffer has already made his next move.
“The #Buccaneers are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me and (Ian Rapoport). Now 50 years into his coaching career, Smith is still going and still considered one of the best in the biz. On to Tampa for the 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday.
The #Buccaneers are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Now 50 years into his coaching career, Smith is still going and still considered one of the best in the biz. On to Tampa for the 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith. pic.twitter.com/Apn4dYj71q
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 20, 2026
Fans reacted to Tampa’s hiring on social media.
“Players and fans will love Smith. Tons of energy. Unbelievable at drawing up punt blocks, most in the league since he took over in 2013. Unfortunately the Steelers STs have been highly penalized for year. From 2020-2023 they were most penalized in the league,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Sad to see danny go. but it really looks like a complete and total overhaul, which is what I wanted since the pickett experiment ended. lets see how this all plays out,” someone else added.
“Thanks for being one of the rare competent coordinators on our staff,” one Steelers fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see who the Steelers’ next coach brings in to fill the role.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.