Mike Tomlin\u2019s departure from Pittsburgh sent shockwaves throughout the football world. A new voice will be leading from the sidelines this year, void of the many \u201cTomlin-isms\u201d heard in the past. Outside of Tomlin\u2019s voice, the sound of gum being violently chewed on the sidelines will also be missing next season. The Steelers\u2019 special teams coordinator, Danny Smith, will no longer be with the team next season after receiving a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<\/p>\n
Like with Tomlin, Smith has also had some players rally for him after leaving, most recently James Harrison and Joe Haden.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThat one hurt,\u201d said Haden on his podcast Deebo and Joe, \u201cThat one hurt my soul\u2026 Bankroll Boz, Kuntz, and Danny Smith, just chillin. They haven\u2019t done any wrong, so I\u2019m a little sad about that.\u201d<\/p>\n Harrison also came to Smith\u2019s defense, saying they should have re-signed him and retained him on the next staff.<\/p>\n Obviously, with a new staff, there will be changes, including a special teams coordinator. While it\u2019s always a nice feather in the cap to be the coach overseeing Chris Boswell, who has been one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL, that isn\u2019t enough to save a job.<\/p>\n The truth is, the Steelers\u2019 special teams units have been middle-of-the-pack at best with Smith at the helm. They rank 16th in the NFL in total punt return yards and 20th in average punt return yards. On kick returns, it\u2019s worse, ranking 21st in kick return yardage and 29th in average kick return yards. While it\u2019s hard to pin this all on Smith and not on the lack of talent within the units, it\u2019s still an indication that the third phase of the game needs improvement.<\/p>\n Danny isn\u2019t the only Smith on the Steelers staff looking for new work in 2026. Arthur Smith, the team\u2019s offensive coordinator, has been interviewing around the league, searching for his next gig as well. So far, he\u2019s been under consideration for the Chargers<\/a>, Lions<\/a>, and Titans<\/a> offensive coordinator roles.<\/p>\n