He considers him one of his coaching mentors, a guy who helped him grow early in his career.

Now, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive quality control coach Blaine Stewart gets to work with new Buccaneers special teams coach Danny Smith again.

Smith, who spent the previous 13 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching special teams under former head coach Mike Tomlin, took the job with Tampa Bay on Jan. 20, just one week after Tomlin stepped down.

During his time in Pittsburgh from 2018-22, Stewart worked closely with Smith on special teams. Getting the chance to reunite with him in Tampa Bay is something Stewart, who just served as a quarterbacks coach at the East-West Shrine Bowl, is looking forward to.

“Tampa Bay is getting an all-time football coach. The lessons and experiences that Danny can bring to our group is something that you can’t put a value on,” Stewart told Steelers Depot at the Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas. “We’re really excited to get him down there, and personally, my dad and Danny Smith coached together in the 80s at William & Mary, so I’ve known Danny Smith for a long time, and I’m just so excited to get back with him and continue to make those memories together because he’s taught me more than I could ever repay him.”

With Tomlin stepping down and the Steelers assistant coaches reportedly being told by GM Omar Khan to clean out their offices ahead of the next head coach being hired, Smith moved quickly and landed in Tampa Bay. He takes over for Thomas McGaughey, who was fired by the Buccaneers on Jan. 8.

During his 13-year tenure in Pittsburgh, Smith was one of the most popular figures in the organization. He was known for his incessant gum-chewing, fiery personality and colorful language. He didn’t meet with the media often, but when he did, it was always a delight.

With the Steelers, Smith helped Chris Boswell develop into an All-Pro and one of the best — if not the best — kickers in the NFL. He also oversaw some of the best seasons of Miles Killebrew’s career, not to mention Ben Skowronek’s Pro Bowl season in 2025 and the development of seventh-round pick Carson Bruener into likely the next special teams captain in the Steel City.

While he was the assistant wide receivers coach during his Steelers tenure, Stewart worked closely with Smith on special teams, too. That helped shape Stewart into who he is as a football coach.

“I think Danny has pushed me to grow. From my first practice with Danny, he said, ‘I’m gonna push you and we’re gonna execute this thing together,’” Stewart said. “And Danny’s given me a great opportunity to grow myself just through the lessons of being able to be around him and implement some things with the guys. And personally, I’m just so thankful for him and our relationship. I can always lean on him and will continue to do so.

“So I’m just really excited to get Danny down in Tampa and just continue to learn from him because I’ll be learning from Danny Smith forever.”

Stewart also spent a lot of time in Pittsburgh with former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The news of Tomlin stepping down earlier this month sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. It affected many, and was a surprise to Stewart, who has a close relationship with Tomlin.

But whatever Tomlin chooses to do next, whether that’s a foray into television or taking a year off and jumping back into coaching, Stewart says the future Hall of Famer will be successful in whatever he chooses to do.

“Coach Tomlin is truly an unbelievable guy. He’s been there for me when my father passed; Mike T was one of the first people to reach out to me. And I’m just so thankful for him,” Stewart said. “And same thing that I mentioned about Danny, Mike T gave me an opportunity to get into an NFL building, and I wouldn’t be where I am undoubtedly without Mike Tomlin. And I’m just so thankful for him.

“Whatever’s next for him, he’s gonna be excellent at. I am so thankful and wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter.”