Report: Steelers Coach Teryl Austin Interviews for Titans Defensive Coordinator Job

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Jan 14, 2021

Steelers senior defensive assistant Teryl Austin has interviewed with the Tennessee Titans to be their next defensive coordinator, according to a report by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Austin, 55, has been the team’s senior defensive assistant and secondary coach since 2019.

The Titans are seeking a defensive coordinator to replace Dean Pees, who retired in January 2020. The team played the 2020 season without a defensive coordinator, with head coach Mike Vrabel serving in the role.

More potential coaching departures for Steelers: Senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin is interviewing with the Tennessee Titans today to be their defensive coordinator.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 14, 2021

Austin, who is a Sharon, Pennsylvania native and Pitt alum, has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions under Jim Caldwell from 2014-17 and with the Cincinnati Bengals under Marvin Lewis in 2018.

Austin was a defensive backs or secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2011-13, Arizona Cardinals 2007-09 and Seattle Seahawks from 2003-06.

He was the defensive coordinator at Florida under Urban Meyer in 2010 and previously served as an assistant coach at Michigan, Syracuse, Wake Forest and Penn State.

Along with defensive backs coach Tom Bradley, Austin helped guide a Steelers secondary that was one of the league’s best in 2020. The Steelers finished the league second with 198.4 yards per game allowed through the air this past season.

Bradley was one of three coaches not retained by the Steelers for the 2021 season on Thursday, along with offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. Additionally, tight end coach James Daniel announced his retirement.
Austin is one of two Steelers assistants to interview for coordinator positions on Thursday, along with quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, who is a candidate to become offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins.