The Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 new coaching staff features a pass rush coach. In title, Shawn Howe carries the title of an all-encompassing \u201cdefensive assistant,\u201d but the team will lean on his knowledge to train up Pittsburgh\u2019s front to get after the quarterback.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, defensive line coach Domata Peko gave Howe a shout when talking about developing DL Derrick Harmon as a rusher.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Harmon\u2019s] working with Coach Howe, Shawn Howe, that came in from Montana State,\u201d Peko said in a video provided by the Post-Gazette.<\/a> \u201cHe\u2019s our pass rush guy.\u201d<\/p>\n Howe was hired in February<\/a>, but this is the first time we\u2019ve heard about his specific role with the team.<\/p>\n NFL teams have increasingly hired pass rush coaches to their staff. Often, they are tabbing \u201cgurus\u201d as headline names who train in each offseason. In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens hired Chuck Smith after he spent years working with Von Miller, Maxx Crosby, and even Steelers like Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith. This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys brought on Brandon Jordan<\/a> as a pass rush \u201cconsultant\u201d after successful stints in Denver and Seattle.<\/p>\n Howe doesn\u2019t come with quite the same fanfare. Pittsburgh is his first NFL job after spending the previous 21 years at the college level. His most prominent role came as USC\u2019s defensive line coach in 2011 and 2012, coaching the likes of Nick Perry and Leonard Williams. Howe spent the past five years at FCS Montana State and was promoted to lead defensive coordinator in 2025. The program went 14-2 with an excellent defense to capture the FCS championship in a one-point win over Illinois State.<\/p>\n