Mike Tomlin interviewed outside candidates for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next defensive coordinator following Keith Butler’s retirement. But he circled back on the job’s frontrunner from the start and promoted defensive assistant Teryl Austin to that position earlier this offseason. Speaking with Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews over the weekend, Tomlin explained why he landed on Austin.
“It’s just really comfortable and natural,” Tomlin told Matthews via the team’s YouTube channel. “He’s been here with us. Obviously, he’s a very capable coach. He understands our philosophical approach to defense. Certainly his perspective and spin will be felt. He’ll have the latitude to make some changes and put his imprint on it.