{"id":420867,"date":"2026-01-21T13:39:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/420867\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T13:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:39:10","slug":"report-buccaneers-hire-away-beloved-steelers-sts-coordinator-danny-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/420867\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Buccaneers Hire Away Beloved Steelers STs Coordinator Danny Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith has been hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the same job. Smith interviewed for the position<\/a> earlier this month and got the job as one of football\u2019s most-tenured special teams coaches.<\/p>\n

NFL Network\u2019s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport broke the news Tuesday afternoon.<\/a><\/p>\n

The #Buccaneers<\/a> are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me and @RapSheet<\/a>. Now 50 years into his coaching career, Smith is still going and still considered one of the best in the biz. On to Tampa for the 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith. pic.twitter.com\/Apn4dYj71q<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The PPG\u2019s Gerry Dulac reported that all Steelers coaches were given permission to interview<\/a> for other jobs and would only be retained if the team\u2019s new hire opted to keep them. Smith is the first to officially depart. He will replace Thomas McGaughey, who was fired by the Buccaneers after the season as part of sweeping coaching changes made in Tampa.<\/p>\n

A fan favorite for his distinctly loud voice and sideline gum chomping that often went viral, Smith spent more than a decade in Pittsburgh. He served as the Steelers\u2019 special teams coordinator from 2013-2025. His units developed the reputation for being excellent at blocking field goals and punts and his coverage units were normally impressive.<\/p>\n

Under Smith, S Miles Killebrew and WR Ben Skowronek shined. Killebrew was twice named to the Pro Bowl and in 2023 was a first-team All-Pro selection. Skowronek was named a 2025 Pro Bowler with 21 special teams tackles. Smith also worked with Chris Boswell, who developed into one of football\u2019s best kickers.<\/p>\n

A Pittsburgh native who began coaching at nearby Edinboro University in 1976, Smith has professed a love of football with few other hobbies. Despite being 72, he clearly doesn\u2019t intend to retire. His first college job came at Clemson in 1979 while his first long-term role came at Georgia Tech from 1987-1994, serving a variety of roles. His NFL break came in 1995 when the Philadelphia Eagles hired him as their special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.<\/p>\n

He coached for the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills in the early 2000s before serving as the Washington Redskins\u2019 special teams coach from 2004-2012. Mike Tomlin hired him in 2013.<\/p>\n

From our yearly coaching studies, the Steelers with Smith had been the only team to have only one coach carry a special teams title. Every other team had at least one assistant. Smith received help from fellow coaches, but he was unique in his do-it-all role, widely respected and beloved by his players.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Pittsburgh will tab its new special teams coordinator later this year after the team\u2019s new head coach is in place and assembles his coaching staff.<\/p>\n