The main focus for the Pittsburgh Steelers is without a doubt finding a new head coach to lead the franchise moving forward. Once that finally occurs — and it could take some time — a large majority of the current staff is not expected to be welcomed back. When someone is hired to lead a locker room, that individual typically wants to have a say in which coaches are a part of the operation. That means that, depending on if the newcomer has an offensive or defensive mindset, positions all the way up to the coordinator level will have refreshing names in charge.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Mike Tomlin was a leader of men for almost two decades in the Steel City. The amount of players and coaches that had the privilege of working with him will rarely ever say anything bad. Now that he has stepped down, a new tradition will begin in Pittsburgh, but that doesn't mean a little wrinkle of the old is a bad thing, especially because the team was consistently winning football games.
If the Steelers end up making an offensive hire for the vacant head coaching position, the keys to the kingdom on defense will need to be passed on. There may not be anyone better than a former Steelers Super Bowl champion who has experience playing under Tomlin and Dick LeBeau, but also coaching with Todd Bowles, a respected defensive mind throughout the NFL.
Larry Foote was a member of the Steelers from 2002 through 2013 (aside from one gap year in 2009). The vicious inside linebacker was an underrated staple that embodied what it meant to play in Pittsburgh. When the Steelers faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2025 preseason, Bowles allowed Foote to call plays against his former team. Pittsburgh's offense — albeit not first-stringers — was held to just 14 points.
The former linebacker is not new to coaching. He got into immediately after retiring and has been on a staff every year dating back to the 2015 campaign. He has worked his way up with Tampa, and holds experience operating as both a passing and running game coordinator. He also officially holds the title of being a linebackers coach for the Buccaneers, working with both the inside and outside guys during his tenure.
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Former Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote (50) stands on the field in a dirty jersey while the team participates in a professional football game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
It's fair to argue that the Steelers got away from their old ways in recent years. Getting gashed on the ground in the postseason is never something that would have been tolerated while Foote was playing. The two-time Super Bowl winner would be a new voice in the locker room as a coach, but he would immediately demand respect as someone who has been there and done that.
It's not far-fetched to think that he could still come to town even if a defensive head coach is hired. While the new leader in the locker room may be calling the plays, it would be a promotion for Foote to land a defensive coordinator gig. He has lurked in the shadows as a member of the Buccaneers for several years, even surviving a head-coaching change after the 2021 campaign.
Steelers fans would welcome the idea of Foote coming back to the Steel City. It might be the perfect opportunity for him to get his big break at the coaching level, but it all depends on what the new hire wants to do with the defense.
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Steelers linebacker Larry Foote tries to tackle Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor during a professional football game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Have To Be Intrigued By The Idea Of Larry Foote Helping The Defense
Both Art Rooney II and Omar Khan know Foote due to his near decade-long tenure with the organization. It should not come as a surprise at all if the brass in Pittsburgh asks the soon-to-be new head coach for a favor right off the bat; bring Foote in for an interview, and he may bring some sort of normalcy to a locker room that could be working with a new leader that isn't all too familiar with the Steel City.
Do you think the Steelers should target Foote as a defensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below!
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