Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is back in charge of an NFL defense once again. The Pittsburgh Steelers are promoting Austin to the role, replacing Keith Butler in running the defense under longtime head coach Mike Tomlin.
Austin had been the team’s secondary coach and senior defensive assistant since the 2019 campaign.
He was a popular figure in his time in Detroit. Austin led the Lions defense from 2014 to 2017 while Jim Caldwell was the head coach. His first unit in Detroit finished third in scoring defense and second in yards allowed. It marked the first time since 1993 the Lions finished in the NFL’s top 10 in either category.
The success faded with the departure of All-Pro DT Ndamukong Suh and falloff in performances from the likes of LB DeAndre Levy and safety James Ihedigbo. His final defense in Detroit ranked 27th. Austin then landed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where his defense allowed the most yards in team history in 2018.
Austin, 56, played collegiately at Pittsburgh and has also been involved in coaching defense with three other NFL teams since 2003.