Tag: special teams coach

Legendary Steelers safety credits his NFL career to Danny Smith

Ex-Steelers safety Ryan Clark credited his former special teams coach Danny Smith with giving him his first NFL start.

When fans think of a Steelers legend who consistently poured his heart and soul out on the field for the team, they look no further than former safety Ryan Clark.

Clark is regarded as one of the many great safeties to come through the Steel City, and none of it would have been possible without one coach in particular. The former safety turned ESPN analyst credited Danny Smith, who is now the Steelers special teams coach, with giving him his first shot in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

Smith made headlines last week on “Sunday Night Football” when he displayed his passion for his unit’s elite set of plays, one of which was incorrectly called back.

Clark’s admiration for Smith speaks volumes about the type of environment that Pittsburgh has fostered for generations.

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Frank Ross reveals strategy on how he has stayed with the Texans through three coaching hires

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross talked about what he tells a new coach that is hired by the Houston Texans.

Much like how stakeholders and global leaders need to be conscious of what world they are leaving behind for Keith Richards, the McNair family needs to think about what coaching staff they are assembling around Frank Ross.

The special teams coordinator is now on his third different coaching staff since the Houston Texans hired him in 2021 to be part of the David Culley era. When the club transitioned to Lovie Smith in 2022, Ross stayed, and he managed to catch on with rookie coach DeMeco Ryans’ regime.

The former Indianapolis Colts assistant special teams coach revealed how he has managed to be the one constant despite the staff upheaval over the past three years.

“Any time there’s going to be a turnover of staff, turnover of players, the first thing is a little bit of a get to know,” said Ross. “I would imagine a new head football coach is going to come in and say, ‘Hey I want to get to put the best staff together.’ I just try to put my foot forward and say, ‘This is how I see things and how I operate. Hopefully that’s a good fit for you, coach.’”

Ross’ presentation on special teams was good enough to convince Ryans. Naturally the unit’s work in 2022 made good arguments as kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had the third-highest field goal percentage in the NFL at 93.5%, didn’t miss one of his 24 extra points, and punter Cam Johnston was 12th in the league with a 48.1 yards per punt.

The 37-year-old from John Carroll University and former New England Patriots scout isn’t going to rest on his laurels.

Said Ross: “I think as far as any body that’s going to be retained at any role, doesn’t matter who it is, what boss you’re working for, your job is to prove yourself every day. Try and live that way, try and be that way. As we go and grow together, Coach Ryans, myself, any other new coaches down the list, what can we do to prove ourselves today, every day we walk in the building?”

Although the new league year kicks off March 15 and the team’s offseason workouts begin April 3, the process to build the 2023 Texans has already begun in Ross’ eyes.

“Free agency, draft, starting the new playbook, whatever that might be,” said Ross. “We’re here to work and get ourselves to be the best football team we can be when the season rolls around.”

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Roll Horns? Texas adds top Alabama assistant, recruiter to coaching staff

Steve Sarkisian has made the biggest move during his stint as the Texas head coach. Jeff Banks will be heading to Austin to join his staff.

Steve Sarkisian has made the biggest move during his short stint as the Texas head coach.

According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports, Jeff Banks will head to Austin to join Sarkisian’s staff. He will serve in multiple roles as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.

More importantly, Banks is one of the best recruiters in the country. He has very strong ties to the state of Texas, dating to his time working at Texas A&M. According to 247Sports, Banks is responsible for landing 12 top 200 blue-chip prospects, including three five-stars.

Banks is the latest coach from the Alabama staff to move to Texas. Former Crimson Tide offensive line coach Kyle Flood will keep the same position with the Longhorns while adding the offensive coordinator title.

This is the type of hire that will take Texas’ recruiting to another level. Banks was one of the key contributors to Alabama’s 2021 class, which has the chance to become one of the best ever. He, Flood and Sarkisian working together will bring the same pedigree to Austin as they did in Tuscaloosa.

A name to watch with Banks moving to Texas is Camar Wheaton. The five-star running back committed to Alabama after early signing day but has not signed his letter of intent. Banks was the lead recruiter for Wheaton and will look to flip him to the Longhorns.

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Blake Gideon to return to Texas as part of Sarkisian’s staff

According to FootballScoop, former UT player Blake Gideon is expected to join the staff at Texas. He will coach special teams and safeties.

Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff is beginning to take shape just three days after he was hired.

According to FootballScoop, former Longhorns player Blake Gideon is expected to join the staff at Texas. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports is also reporting that Gideon is “likely” to work with safeties and special teams in Austin.

Since leaving Texas in 2011 and the NFL in 2013, Gideon has been involved with four SEC schools. His highest position came in 2015 with Auburn when he was promoted from a graduate assistant role to coaching defensive backs.

Gideon was praised for his work at Houston in 2019 as the special team’s coach and was hired by Lane Kiffin when he accepted the job at Ole Miss. He will be leaving the Rebels to come back to his alma mater.

Western Carolina (2016-2018) and Georgia State (2018) are two other schools Gideon has been a defensive backs coach. Playing safety during his time at Texas, he will be coaching the position he starred in.

This is the first hiring move Sarkisian has made on the defensive side of the ball. There have been multiple names involved as to who could be the defensive coordinator, including Chris Ash, Will Muschamp, and Barry Odom.

More outside names will be considered for Sarkisian’s offensive staff. Mike Yurcich announced he would be leaving on Monday afternoon. Running back’s coach Stan Drayton is the only offensive coach expected to be retained.

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Michigan State reportedly hires Ross Els as special teams coordinator

Els would be the eight assistant coach on Mel Tucker’s staff.

More reinforcements for Mel Tucker’s first coaching staff are on their way from Boulder, Colorado.

According to Colorado bear reporter Brian Howell, Colorado linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Ross Els will be going the Michigan State staff.

As Howell alludes to their are still roles to be sorted out among the defense–most notably with former MSU defensive coordinator Mike Tressel whose role has yet to be publicly announced–but Els looks to be headed for the special teams coordinator role.

Els was the special teams coordinator under Tucker in 2019 and Colorado improved form 89th in special teams SP+ in 2018 to 43rd in 2019. Els was also ran special teams for Nebraska from 2012-2014 and those years the Cornhuskers finished 32nd, 8th, and 51st in special teams SP+.

Els has also coached special teams at New Mexico and Ohio University, in addition to being the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016.

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