Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers set their assistant coaches free after longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down last week. One of them, now-former Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, could have another job lined up elsewhere.
“Another name to add to the Commanders’ defensive coordinator search: Steelers DC Teryl Austin interviewed for the job, per sources,” The Athletic’s Commanders reporter, Nicki Jhabvala, wrote Friday on X.
The Washington Commanders ranked dead-last in the NFL in terms of yards allowed and 27th in points allowed this season. They produced the second-fewest turnovers and gave up the most first downs. After a 5-12 campaign, they agreed to part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Another name to add to the Commanders’ defensive coordinator search: Steelers DC Teryl Austin interviewed for the job, per sources.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 23, 2026
Washington head coach Dan Quinn took play-calling duties from Whitt after 10 games, leaving the writing on the wall that Whitt wouldn’t be around next season.
The Steelers graded out 17th in the league in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed. Austin, a Western Pennsylvania native, had been in Pittsburgh since 2019, when he joined Tomlin’s staff as a senior defensive assistant/secondary coach. He replaced Keith Butler as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2022.
Austin has also spent time on coaching staffs for the Cincinnati Bengals (2018), Detroit Lions (2014-17), Baltimore Ravens (2011-13), Arizona Cardinals (2007-09) and Seattle Seahawks (2003-06). He was a defensive coordinator in Detroit and Cincinnati.
The Steelers, meanwhile, continue their head coaching search. Team president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan have spoken to several candidates. One of which, now-former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, chose to take over for the Ravens on Thursday night.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers Coordinator Pops Up in NFC Team’s Job Search
