Mike Tomlin may have left the Pittsburgh Steelers of his own volition, but the dozens of staff members that he left behind may not have much say in their future with the organization. As a result, one of his top staffers appears to be eyeing a move.
According to Ari Meirov, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completed an interview with Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith for the same position. The Buccaneers fired ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey after two seasons with the team.
Smith is a 50-year coaching veteran who got his first job all the way back in 1976. He's been coaching in the NFL since 1995 and joined the Steelers in 2013.
"Don't have to leave but can't stay"
Reports emerged on Thursday that the Steelers advised all staff members that they were free to pursue other work. Those staffers were informed that they would not be retained unless their next head coach offered to retain them. All of their contracts reportedly expire in February.
As of writing, the Steelers have not hired a new head coach.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are widely expected to get the ax. But Danny Smith seemed like one of the few assistants primed to retain his job. Special teams coaches tend to outlast regime changes more often than others.
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2025 was a decent year for the Steelers' special teams. Kicker Chris Boswell went 27 of 32 on field goals, successfully booting nine of 11 attempts beyond 50 yards including a 60-yarder. Punter Corliss Waitman wasn't exactly Ray Guy, but averaged a solid 45.5 yards per punt on 62 boots.
If Smith does take another job, the Steelers will have yet another key that needs filling.