Keith
Butler
enters his seventh year on the Steelers’ coaching staff after joining the staff
prior to the 2003 season. He remained on staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in
January, 2007.
Butler and Tomlin previously worked together at Memphis in 1996,
where Butler was the linebackers/defensive ends/special teams coach and Tomlin
served as the Tigers defensive backs coach.
Butler was named the
Steelers’ linebackers coach Jan. 28, 2003, after serving the previous four seasons in a
similar capacity with the Cleveland Browns
(1999-02).
Butler has been
instrumental in the development of the Steelers’ highly regarded linebacking
corps. The unit includes two 2009 Pro Bowl players, James Farrior and James
Harrison. Under Butler’s tutelage, Farrior, a second-team All-Pro in 2008, has
led the Steelers’ defense in tackles for the past three seasons. Butler has also
helped groom Harrison into one of the league’s elite performers. Harrison’s 2008
season included winning AP Defensive Player of the Year, making his second
straight Pro Bowl start, earning a second consecutive team MVP award and
recording a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII,
the longest play in Super Bowl history.
Harrison and LaMarr Woodley teamed
to produce the most sacks in a single-season by a duo in Steelers’ history with
a combined 27.5 sacks in 2008. The linebacker unit as a whole was a key reason
behind the Steelers finishing the regular season first overall in total defense
and against the pass, and second against the run. Butler was also named NFL
Linebacker Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly.
In
2006, Butler’s linebacking crew helped the Steelers rank second in the AFC and
third in the NFL in rushing defense. The unit allowed just 88.3 rushing yards
per game and helped the defense to not allow a 100-yard rusher the entire
season.
In
2005, Butler’s
linebackers helped the Steelers lead the AFC and rank fourth in the NFL in total
defense. The sack tandem of Joey Porter (10.5) and Clark Haggans (9.0) ranked as
the best for a linebacker duo in the entire NFL.
Prior to joining the Browns’ staff, Butler spent nine years coaching
in the college ranks, beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Memphis,
where he coached linebackers from 1990-97 and also coached defensive ends and
special teams (1995-97). He then served as defensive coordinator and linebackers
coach at Arkansas
State in 1998.
Butler, 52, was selected by
the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft and played
linebacker for 10 seasons (1978-87) with Seattle. He started 132-of-146 games in his
career and still ranks second on the club’s all-time tackles list with
813.
A
three-year starter at inside linebacker for Memphis, Butler led the school in tackles his junior and
senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 384 tackles and seven
interceptions. He was named a 1977
Associated Press All-American and played in the 1977 Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray
All-Star Game.
Butler was born May 16, 1956, in Anniston, Ala. He and his wife Janet have three
sons—Blake (26), Brandon (24) and Brett (22).
