Montana State’s defensive coordinator Shawn Howe is joining new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy’s staff in Pittsburgh, per MTN Sports.
It has not yet been officially announced what role Howe will have with Pittsburgh, although MTN Sports reported he will be coaching outside linebackers and edge rushers.
Howe has been at MSU since 2021 and was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the start of the 2025-26 season.
In his only season as DC at Montana State, the Bobcats defense ranked 15th in the FCS in points per game allowed (19 PPG), third in the FCS in turnovers created (27) and 20th in total defense (328.8 YPG).
Howe’s Coaching Journey
2026: Pittsburgh Steelers, TBD
2021-2025: Montana State, Defensive Coordinator (2025), Co-Defensive Coordinator (2024), Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line (2021-24)
2019-20: USC, Defensive Analyst
2018: Coastal Carolina, Defensive Line
2015-17: Dixie State, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coord.
2013-14: Humboldt State, Defensive Line
2011-12: USC, Defensive Graduate Assistant/Defensive Line
2010: Tennessee, Assistant Strength and Conditioning
2007-09: Memphis, Defensive GA (2007-08), TE GA (2009)
2006: North Carolina State, Volunteer Assistant/Def. Line
2004-05: Rocky Mountain, Outside Linebackers