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It's been a busy day in regards to the Steelers coaching staff. It started in the morning with the team announcing they didn't renew the contracts for offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and defensive backs coach Tom Bradley.
Shortly after, it was reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that the Miami Dolphins are believed to be taking a hard look at quarterbacks coach Matt Canada for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Canada consulted with Miami in 2019 when he took a year off from coaching. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later confirmed that the Steelers gave the Dolphins permission to talk to Canada about the offensive coordinator position and he interviewed with Miami on Thursday. In the afternoon, the Steelers announced that longtime tight ends coach James Daniel has retired.
And now, Dulac is reporting that senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin is interviewing with the Tennessee Titans today to be their defensive coordinator.
Austin was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2014-2017 and was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 but was fired mid-season. Austin has been with the Steelers since 2019.
Fowler reported this morning that the Steelers are discussing a new contract with defensive coordinator Keith Butler, who at 64, plans to go year-to-year. Dulac confirmed that Butler was told he would be retained.
With Butler going year-to-year, Austin possibly could be his heir apparent at defensive coordinator, but that idea would be scratched if he gets the defensive coordinator job with the Titans.
If that were the case, the Steelers would have to fill five assistant coaching positions this offseason, and perhaps six, if Canada gets the offensive coordinator position in Miami.
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