One of the most unusual aspects of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is the mystery and ambiguity about who’s actually running the program. Although it has been well established that head coach Mike Tomlin became more involved – probably more complicated – with the day – to – day details of the unit after moving on to Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator, it was never concretely established. by reporting that Tomlin was actually run the defense over Keith Butler, who took over in the coordinating role for LeBeau.
However, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it was the case during Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns that Tomlin actually called ‘all the defensive signals’ against the Cleveland Browns. He also claims that this has been the case for most of the season, if not longer.
There are many head coaches in the league who retain responsibilities for the offensive or defensive unit, even if they have a coordinator for the role, although sometimes there is not even a coordinator. The Browns, for example, have Alex Van Pelt as attacking coordinator, but Kevin Stefanski mentions the plays. Mike Vrabel defends the Tennessee Titans.
However, the Steelers have long had a dedicated offensive and defensive coordinator and have entrusted them with the responsibility of navigating through the course of the week joint compilation of the game plan compiled over the course of the week.
Of course, it’s every head coach’s privilege to intervene here and there and let them know that they’re going to perform the play or that play, and Tomlin certainly did. He, like all head coaches, regularly makes executive decisions – and of course he is often second guessing in the process.
Whatever it’s worth, I watched the broadcast of the Steelers’ defensive plays in the first half, and although I did not observe any deadly gifts, I saw Tomlin with a sheet in his hands and he watched once or two off he was visible. I also saw Butler with his hands in his pockets.
According to Aditi Kinkhabwala, “the contracts of almost all the defense personnel are up”, she wrote in a Tweet yesterday. She also claims that Tomlin called the defense ‘since the end of Dick LeBeau’s tenure’, but it appears to be a rather suspicious allegation, and there were certainly times when it was clear that Butler was calling plays.
# Steelers has many free agents as well as coaches. The contracts of almost the entire defense staff are up. (Remember: this is Mike Tomlin’s defense. It’s his design and he’s been called that since the tail end of Dick LeBeau’s tenure.)
– Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) 11 January 2021
I have never fully bought the claim that Tomlin has been mentioning the defense as the primary coordinator for years, because all such reports contain little evidence. And footage indicated otherwise (e.g., that Butler communicates plays from a call sheet to the defense). In a brief review, however, I did not immediately find clear evidence that Butler did not do so at all on Sunday.