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Joey Porter Joins XFL San Antonio Coaching Staff with Hines Ward

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Steelers OLB Joey Porter

Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker and assistant coach Joey Porter is taking his coaching talents to the XFL when it re-launches for a second time in the spring of 2023.

Not only will Porter be coaching linebackers for the league’s yet-to-be-named San Antonio team, he will also be joining the staff of his former Steelers teammate Hines Ward, who was announced as the club’s head coach in April. Former Michigan defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann will be the team’s defensive coordinator and ex-Edmonton (CFL) Elks head coach Jamie Elizondo will be the offensive coordinator.

Porter, 45, most recently served as the Steelers’ outside linebackers coach from 2015 to 2018. He was a defensive assistant under legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau in 2014. Porter began his coaching career at his alma mater Colorado State in 2013.

As a player, Porter is regarded as one of the Steelers’ best pass rushers. His 60 sacks while with Pittsburgh are the fifth-most in franchise history. He also posted 75 tackles-for-loss, 17 forced fumbles and ten interceptions over eight season as a Steeler. Porter is just the latest of multiple XFL coaching hires with Steelers ties.

In addition to Ward, former Steelers safety Rod Woodson has been tabbed to coach the XFL Las Vegas team. Ray Sherman and Darren Perry are also a part of Woodson’s staff.

Former Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis is serving in the same role for XFL Arlington, while Pittsburgh native and longtime NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski will be the offensive coordinator for XFL St. Louis.

The original XFL, founded in 2001, lasted just one season. The revival started in 2020, but had that season stopped midway through by the COVID-19 pandemic. The league did not play in 2021 or 2022, but has targeted 2022 for its return. The re-born USFL, originally a 1980s spring football league, got started in 2022, with the two leagues projected to go head-to-head next spring.