Dick
LeBeau begins
the sixth year of his second tour of duty with the Steelers, for whom he experienced
much success during the mid-1990s as both the team’s defensive backs coach and
defensive coordinator.
Considered the architect of the Steelers’ famed “zone blitz,” LeBeau
was named the Steelers’ defensive coordinator Jan. 16, 2004, after spending the
2003 season with the Buffalo Bills. He is one of six assistant coaches who
remained onPittsburgh’s staff following Mike Tomlin’s
hiring in January, 2007.
LeBeau’s
defense had a season for the ages in 2008 as they led the league in a number of
categories and caused havoc on a week-to-week basis on opposing offenses. The
Steelers ended the season first in total yards (237.2 avg.), against the pass
(156.9 avg.) and in points allowed per game (13.9), while finishing second
against the rush (80.3 avg.). The defense was led by linebacker James Harrison,
who won several major awards, including AP Defensive Player of the Year, after
setting a franchise record with 16 sacks.
His impact on the coaching staff was profound as the
Steelers returned to the top of the NFL in total defense and rushing defense. In
2005, LeBeau’s defensive game plans played an integral part in stopping four of
the NFL’s top five offenses in the AFC playoffs, including limiting Seattle to
just 10 points in Super Bowl XL.
He continued his success in 2007 as he helped the
defense finish the season first in overall defense, third in pass defense and
third against the run.
LeBeau, 71, has been involved in the NFL for 50 years, 14 as a player and the past 36 as
a coach. Prior to his return to Pittsburgh, LeBeau served one year as the
assistant head coach with the Buffalo Bills and the previous two-plus years as
the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.
After
six seasons in Pittsburgh from 1992-96, when he coached the
secondary (1992-94) and then was defensive coordinator (1995-96), LeBeau
returned to Cincinnati as the Bengals’ assistant head
coach/defensive coordinator (1997-2000). He was later promoted to head coach
Sept. 25, 2000,
(after three games) and served in that capacity for two more
seasons.
LeBeau
began his coaching career as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles
from 1973-75. He also was an assistant coach at Green
Bay (1976-79) and Cincinnati (1980-83),
before serving his first term as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from
1984-91.
Prior
to entering the coaching ranks, LeBeau produced an outstanding pro career from
which he still holds the NFL all-time record of 171 consecutive games for a
cornerback and currently is tied for seventh all-time in the NFL with 62 career
interceptions. His nine interceptions in 1970 led the NFC and his 62 career
interceptions ranked third in the NFL at the time of his retirement. LeBeau also appeared in three Pro
Bowls.
LeBeau was born Sept. 9, 1937, in London, Ohio. He and his wife Nancy have one son,
Brandon Grant.
