Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff continues to fall into place, the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Domata Peko as their defensive line coach.
Peko played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2006-16 and also spent time with the Denver Broncos (2017-18), Baltimore Ravens (2019) and Arizona Cardinals (2020). He played in 214 games during his 15-year career, totaling 616 tackles.
Peko was the defensive line coach for Deion Sanders and Colorado this past season. In an interview with Thee Pregame Network, Peko expressed gratitude in joining the Steelers.
“You’re always blessed when you get an opportunity to elevate,” Peko said. “And especially with an organization like Pittsburgh, the Steelers. Don’t get much better than that… gotta go to the next level and help out coach Mike McCarthy, which is a blessing for me. Spent some time with him in Dallas, and I’m happy to get back to work with him with the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Peko began his coaching career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, working as an assistant under former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
“I actually started off, it’s called the Bill Walsh Coaches Fellowship,” Peko said. “I was in there as an assistant coach. Just doing the little things in the d-line room. Drawing up cards, different runs. Top runs of the week. Doing some computer things as well, and PowerPoint. Getting some meetings ready for our main d-line coach.”
For the Steelers, Peko replaces Karl Dunbar, who had been the Steelers’ defensive line coach since 2018.
The Steelers’ defensive front includes stalwart Cam Heyward, who will be entering his 16th season, and Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black. Harmon and Black were both drafted last spring and combined for 55 tackles.
Brendan Howe contributed.
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