Ex-Seahawk Butler named Steelers’ defensive coordinator

Published 11:06 am Tuesday, January 13, 2015

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t look far for Dick LeBeau’s replacement.

The team promoted longtime linebackers coach Keith Butler to the position of defensive coordinator on Tuesday. Butler will take over for LeBeau. The Hall of Famer resigned on Saturday after the team finished 18th in total defense, the lowest in his second stint with the Steelers.

Butler has spent the past 12 years with Pittsburgh and has a long history with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. They worked together as assistants at Memphis in 1996.

Butler, a linebacker, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks out of Memphis in 1978. He played 10 seasons with the Seahawks and ranks second in franchise history with 813 career tackles.