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NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new head coach in 2026. They will also have a new special teams coordinator.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the fan favorite coach in Pittsburgh will join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff for next season.
“The Buccaneers are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me,” Garafolo wrote on X. “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 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith.”
Smith served as Steelers special teams coordinator under Mike Tomlin from 2013-25. It was Smith’s longest tenure of his coaching career, which dates back to 1976.
Buccaneers Hiring Steelers Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith
Smith, who is a Pittsburgh native and coached defensive backs at Central Catholic High School in Western Pennsylvania from 1977-78, became a Steelers treasure during his tenure under Tomlin.
The special teams coordinator was known for his wild gum chewing and celebrations on the sidelines. The Steelers often had elite special teams play under Smith as well.
In Smith’s 13 seasons, Pittsburgh routinely blocked kicks. The Steelers have also featured one of the best kickers in the league, Chris Boswell, since 2015.
Smith isn’t leaving the Steelers because the franchise didn’t want him to return. The organization released all coaches of their contracts, though, following Tomlin’s resignation.
If any assistant is going to return to Pittsburgh in 2026, the next head coach will have to hire them. The Steelers are currently going through their due diligence of hiring their next head coach.
Smith elected to take the job in Tampa rather than see if he still had a role with the Steelers.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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