Steelers fire Bob Ligashesky; Amos Jones retained

Steelers fire Bob Ligashesky; Amos Jones retained

1:18pm - Thursday, January 7th, 2010 by DePaoli

Another day, another coach cleaning out his office.

The Pittsburgh Steelers fired special teams coach Bob Ligashesky, the team announced this afternoon. The team also officially confirmed the firing of offensive line coach Larry Zierlein.

In 2008 under Ligashesky, the Steelers had NFL’s top kick coverage unit but in 2009 they ranked 30th in kickoff coverage and 24th in punt coverage. Special teams coverage costs the Steelers a game or two.

Ligashesky met with Mike Tomlin on Wednesday. Even though there was talk that Mike Tomlin wanted to retain Ligashesky, Tomlin is stressing accountability and really had no choice but to make a change.

Ownership is likely to give former special teams coach Bobby April a strong look. Arpil, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, was the Steelers special teams coach from 1994-1995.

He is an attractive option but Mike Tomlin may look to bring in his own guy.

Notes: The Steelers have offered assistant special teams coach Amos Jones an opportunity to return to the team. Jones is staying with the team for now. Yesterday sources told TIOPS the Steelers will retain 1 of 2 special teams coaches.

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Comments

BillCitro

Easy decision - surprised he wasn't before Zierlein.

01/07/2010 11:28am

spb162

WELCOME TO THE STEELERS bobby april

01/07/2010 11:39am

Monrovian12

What does an opportunity to return in some capacity mean? Selling hotdogs? Ticket Taker?

01/07/2010 11:45am

SV84

It will be on how not to cover.

01/07/2010 11:47am

depaoli

@ morovian12, Not sure. Yesterday a high ranking official said 1 of 2 was returning and a source said Jones was around today.

01/07/2010 11:51am

mwalluk

waterboy?

01/07/2010 11:56am

SV84

That is Tony Hills's job.

01/07/2010 12:06pm

SV84

I saw somewhere that April wants to go to a winner. True? We would have that to our advantage. Sure they didn't make it this year but he can see special teams as a huge reason why.

01/07/2010 12:17pm

BillCitro

Hopefully we can draft someone to bump Tony off the roster this year. I also hope Foster is given a legitimate chance to start at LG.

01/07/2010 12:50pm

BillCitro

I mean RG

01/07/2010 12:50pm

Bunn66

Don't get me wrong...I'm President of the Mike Tomlin Fan Club...but when I hear, "may bring in his own guy", I get worried. The fact is, Mike hasn't been around a long time in terms of coaching ranks...so he's only worked with a limited amount of people - we can see what happened when he brought in his "own guys" the last time (i.e Zierlein & Ligashesk). It seems the only coaches who are doing the job currently, are the ones who were already here. Not saying he won't, but Mike T should really open up the hiring process to people he hasn't worked with before (i.e. Bobby April)...Just sayin

01/07/2010 12:58pm

↑ previous comments ↑

jeffed

Take it for what it's worth, but PFT is reporting that the Redskins are interested in April. I would say it's safe to assume the Steelers won't get him, probably won't even interview him.

01/07/2010 2:49pm

SV84

Dan Synder can go giggity a cow.

01/07/2010 3:10pm

SV84

I agree Bunn. I like Tomlin, but coaches are way too prideful.

01/07/2010 3:12pm

Steelers=Champs

Anybody see the tantrum that Jim Wexell is throwing on twitter about the Steelers keeping Arians. Sounds like a little kid, kind of funny

01/07/2010 3:41pm