The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching staff was thought to be making some sweeping changes this offseason. That really hasn’t been the case, though many Steelers fans went as far as hoping Head Coach Mike Tomlin would be fired. Tomlin’s regular season record remains impressive, but for a growing number of fans, that no longer matters. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the way the 2024 season ended—marked by an epic collapse—only added to the frustration.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
Following the late-season meltdown, fans expected a shakeup across the coaching staff. Offensive struggles, defensive lapses, and a lack of identity fueled speculation that significant changes were coming. However, aside from a few position coach adjustments, the overhaul many expected never happened. For better or worse, Tomlin is still at the helm, and much of his staff remains intact heading into 2025.
However, there was at least one new addition quietly made. According to the Steelers’ official site on Monday, Pittsburgh has hired Luke Smith as a new quality control coach. While the role often flies under the radar, it's a critical part of game preparation. Quality control coaches handle film breakdown, opponent scouting, and practice planning support, often serving as the backbone of the weekly grind. It may not be the major change fans were hoping for, but it’s a step toward improving the team’s structure behind the scenes.
Smith hasn't been announced yet but on Monday his name popped up on the Steelers site making it clear he has been hired by the team. Smith joins the Steelers after spending eight seasons on the Duquesne coaching staff, where he worked his way up from a defensive assistant to leading the wide receivers. During his time with the Dukes, he helped guide the program to three Northeast Conference championships and two FCS playoff appearances. His promotion in 2018 marked a turning point for the offense, and he quickly built a reputation for developing productive and reliable receivers.
Under Smith’s leadership, Duquesne’s wideouts became a consistent strength. He coached several all-conference selections, including players who later earned opportunities with NFL teams. The Dukes often ranked among the top passing attacks in the conference, highlighted by a strong 2023 season where multiple receivers ranked near the top in both yards and touchdowns.
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Steelers' Danny Smith coaching up his special teams unit.
Before Duquesne, Smith gained experience at the high school level, helping two programs capture championships. He’s a Pittsburgh native and the nephew of longtime Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith. Now, as the team’s new quality control coach, he’ll bring his background in both defense and offense to the NFL stage, helping support the staff behind the scenes.
Steelers Expand Their Coaching Staff With Luke Smith
The Steelers didn’t appear to replace any of their existing quality control coaches earlier this offseason. Assistants Matt Baker, Mateo Kambui, and Jason Brooks are all still listed as offensive and defensive assistants on the team’s website. That made the coaching staff seem mostly settled—until the recent addition of Smith. Having a sharp, reliable quality control coach is crucial to a team’s week-to-week preparation, and Smith’s hiring adds a fresh voice to that process.
In the NFL, quality control coaches handle much of the behind-the-scenes workload that fuels game planning. They break down film, study opponents, chart tendencies, create scouting materials, and help design practice scripts. These coaches work closely with coordinators and position coaches to ensure everything runs smoothly. While it's often seen as a stepping-stone role, it's one of the most demanding and detail-oriented jobs on a staff.
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Steelers' quality control coach Luke Smith during his time with his wide receivers at Duquesne University.
For a team like the Steelers, bringing in someone like Smith could quietly make a big impact. The Steelers are in need of improvements in many areas and the coaching staff isn't immune. They seriously need to improve and hopefully these little hires like Smith will compound into big wins for the team.
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