Steelers expected to retain 1 of 2 special teams coaches

Steelers expected to retain 1 of 2 special teams coaches

4:23pm - Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 by DePaoli

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have one off-season shakeup on special teams as the team will only retain one of their two special teams coaches.

It has not been confirmed which special teams coach will be fired.

It's believed assistant special teams coach Amos Jones will be let go as there is talk that Mike Tomlin wants to retain special teams coach Bob Ligashesky.

Ligashesky met with Mike Tomlin today and unlike Larry Zierlien, his office has not been cleaned out to this point.

The Steelers were No. 1 on special teams in 2008 under Ligashesky but had plenty of woes in 2009, giving up four kickoff returns for touchdowns.

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Comments

Genomalkin

Tomlin deserves the ax if he keeps that idiot ligashesky. That was the worst kick and punt coverage I have ever seen.

01/06/2010 5:47pm

SV84

They better not let April get away for this clown.

01/06/2010 6:27pm

jeffed

I would be shocked if the Steelers even bring in April for an interview unfortunatly. I would love if they did and hope they do.

01/06/2010 6:42pm

SV84

I just wish the Steelers would go after a high profile guy now and this is perfect. The system is working but when the solution is right in front of you, take it.

01/06/2010 6:48pm

tj1015

April isn't coming as the assistant... If Ligashesky stay (first Arians and now this!) I can't see April in the mix at all. I think are are really missing the boat on this one!

01/06/2010 7:23pm

Gumps83

i totally agree with all of your comments. wake up tomlin!!!

01/06/2010 7:28pm

seabs926

I've actually heard that Jones was the guy that was more focused on the coverage aspect of ST's. The reality is this, when you have average athletes trying to cover a line drive kick that lands at the 5-10 yard line every time you're not going to have good coverage units. The personnel needs to change more than the coaching does.

01/06/2010 8:31pm

SV84

They need a kickoff specialist then, even if Reed is brought back.

01/06/2010 8:48pm

deesh138

Reed and poor tackling is to be blamed for the coverage problems. How many ways can you coach "run down the field, stay in your lanes, break down and make the tackle"? It's execution, not coaching, in my opinion.

01/06/2010 8:56pm

deesh138

How can they be number 1 in 2008 and dead last in 2009? Seems unlikely he coached differently, but the Steelers prioritized special teams last when it came to roster decisions, and it showed.

01/06/2010 8:57pm

Carnauerff

Speaking of STs, is Stefan Logan an UFA and if so is he brought back? D?

01/06/2010 11:15pm

SV84

Well watchever it is it needs fixed. They were last in 2007 and I think with alot of the same guys.

01/06/2010 11:21pm

SV84

Logan signed a two year deal.

01/06/2010 11:21pm

SV84

They need to keep guys like Bailey, Madison, and Frazier. The thing I don't get is why have two coaches for this. You guys are right, alot is on the players, but what does he "teach" differenty then April? I'm not too familiar with this, appreciate it if someone explained it more. It's obviously weird if they go from last to first to last.

01/06/2010 11:27pm

↑ previous comments ↑

Carnauerff

Thanks SV

01/06/2010 11:44pm

deesh138

SV84, it would be nice if some of their draft picks were on special teams as well. Wallace, Burnett, Hood, Lewis, Sweed, Davis, none of these guys played significant roles on special teams. I realize Wallace contributed heavily on offense, but they have to show the effort to get on the field whereever they can in the NFL, and recent draft picks have lacked the desire to do so.

01/07/2010 12:48am

deesh138

Davis was cut because he couldn't even produce on special teams.

01/07/2010 12:49am

SV84

I agree, I hope they draft or sign guys thatbare good at it.

01/07/2010 6:46am