Butler-LeBeau Have Strained Relationship Over DC Job

[SteelerFan448]

Keith Butler: Relationship with HOFer Dick LeBeau strained over Steelers job
Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer

LATROBE, Pa. -- New Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler admits his in-house promotion was "awkward" because he replaced close friend Dick LeBeau.

Butler, Pittsburgh's linebackers coach for 12 seasons, told ESPN he didn't know what to say to LeBeau when the two talked on the phone shortly after coach Mike Tomlin made the switch. Butler estimated he had played about 300 rounds of golf with LeBeau over the years. Things haven't been the same since.

"You don't want to feel like you stabbed him in the back or anything like that to get the job," Butler said. "That never went on. Mike and I never talked about the job until Dick was let go."

Butler didn't want to force the Steelers' hand, but after the fifth inquiry from another NFL team about a coordinator opening -- Tennessee and Arizona were among the teams that requested his services in past years -- Butler told the Steelers he was ready to lead a defense. He didn't know what that meant exactly, he said, only that it was time to fill that need.


Keith Butler takes over a Steelers defense that ranked 18th in yards allowed last season. George Gojkovich/Getty Images
In the past, the Steelers raised Butler's pay to keep him. Plus, he loved the continuity of the staff, the Rooney family and the annual chase for a Super Bowl. Butler and the Steelers had talked informally about his coordinating the defense one day, but "never in writing."

The defense needed a spark after finishing 26th in sacks, tied for 25th in interceptions and 27th in passing yards allowed last season.

Since being promoted, Butler has been crafting a defense that relies on Steelers staples -- 3-4 formation, dropping both safeties into coverage -- while bringing new ideas, such as getting defensive ends more one-on-one opportunities and various linebacker blitz packages.

Butler said Tomlin has not micromanaged him, though he runs new ideas by the head coach as they come. Hitters will play; passive tacklers won't.

"We're going to experiment a little bit more [this week] to see if it really works in pads," said Butler about this week's training camp sessions.

Butler knew that LeBeau, now an assistant with the Titans, still wanted to coach. That's what made the phone call so difficult. LeBeau told Butler, "That's football."

"All the parties really came out pretty well," Butler said. "Hopefully after a year or so we can go back to start playing golf together again."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...-keith-butler-discusses-replacing-dick-lebeau

 

[SteelerFan448]

I thought this was a pretty interesting read and it provided us with some inside information on how the transition from LeBeau to Butler was made and why it was made.

 

[madinsomniac]

I think Lebeau was one of the most influential people of the past 50 years in the NFL, I loved him as a coach, and he probably has some coaching left, but it was time to move on. This is kind of what needed to happen with many a great coach throughout the years and too often they stay too long and really put a team back because of it...

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I think Lebeau was one of the most influential people of the past 50 years in the NFL, I loved him as a coach, and he probably has some coaching left, but it was time to move on. This is kind of what needed to happen with many a great coach throughout the years and too often they stay too long and really put a team back because of it...

Agree, I think it was time for a change. If the defense finishes top 15 in every category, which is by no means certain, then I don't much care what Butler's relationship is with LeBeau.

 

[Drink IRON City]

There is always some rif, deserving or not. LOVED DL, but we needed change, not just in player personal but all so in coaching.





Salute the nation

 

[Wingman]

Sounds like a non story. In other ways sounds like Butler was tired of waiting and might have said so.

Butler didn't want to force the Steelers' hand, but after the fifth inquiry from another NFL team about a coordinator opening -- Tennessee and Arizona were among the teams that requested his services in past years -- Butler told the Steelers he was ready to lead a defense. He didn't know what that meant exactly, he said, only that it was time to fill that need.

There is no time frame for this quote and if it was said prior to Dick's leaving it does sound like someone might have been stabbed in the back as it seems to me to say if not here someplace else. So if the steelers were given an ultimatum like that they did not have much choice, loose DL who might die at his age or decide to retire and then they are left with no one that is ready to step in. And add that with the idea that the defense is nearly all much younger players who do not have strong ties to Dick might have signaled this as the best time to make the change. Three or four years ago this might have made the rebellion exhibited by Faneca seem like nothing in comparison. This was likely not a good situation all the way around and likely did not have a good way to resolve it just maybe they found one not as bad as the others.

One thing that I found bothersome about Butler were his comments regarding Spence. Butler was supposed to have stated that Spence would not likely walk again let alone play football. Tomlin on the other hand had very positive things to say about him and seemed in favor of keeping him on the team. I commend him and the Rooney family for doing the right thing.

Butler may be our next great coach he may not we shall see. The article throws out what maybe some behind the scenes drama, or it could be a case of spinning some out of context remarks into a story that does not represent the facts accurately, after all it is from espn and they have shown that they are indeed indifferent to facts.

 

[slashsteel]

I don't read too much into what Butler said about Spence, as he said what many were thinking. Probably what DR's were thinking.

The odds were against a recovery from that brutal injury, and so far he beat those odds. (cue Phil Collins song)

Thing is with Dick was, I am sure they hung onto him past what some other teams might have........

DL might feel like Butler getting restless might have escalated a move, but if his D wasn't holding the team back, the move would have not taken place.

for how much DL was loved, it was a necessary evil IMO.

 

[SteelChip]

Agree, I think it was time for a change. If the defense finishes top 15 in every category, which is by no means certain, then I don't much care what Butler's relationship is with LeBeau.

There is always some rif, deserving or not. LOVED DL, but we needed change, not just in player personal but all so in coaching.

Salute the nation

That about sums up the city's overall feelings if ya ask me. Love the guy but his approach was getting stale and despite the lack of talent he was given to work with, fans were getting antsy for something....anything to turn to tide on results.

 

[Vader]

I know I'm in the minority but getting rid of DL isn't a home run in my view. The idea that Butler is some grand defensive wizard kept back by DL is asinine. DL didn't have the horses and now Butler won't have them either unless the new class steps up. I don't care if the defense ranks a few places higher or a few places lower. I think DL will be missed and Tomlin's influence over the defense is going to grow.... that isn't a good thing because Tomlin is a 4-3 guy and the Steelers don't run a 4-3.

 

[stillwright]

I know I'm in the minority but getting rid of DL isn't a home run in my view. The idea that Butler is some grand defensive wizard kept back by DL is asinine. DL didn't have the horses and now Butler won't have them either unless the new class steps up. I don't care if the defense ranks a few places higher or a few places lower. I think DL will be missed and Tomlin's influence over the defense is going to grow.... that isn't a good thing because Tomlin is a 4-3 guy and the Steelers don't run a 4-3.

I don't think people think Butler is going to be a defensive wizard, but they did see that we needed a change. Kind of what Bill gave us when he replaced Chuck. Hopefully the result will be as positive.

 

[Wingman]

I don't think people think Butler is going to be a defensive wizard, but they did see that we needed a change. Kind of what Bill gave us when he replaced Chuck. Hopefully the result will be as positive.

I believe that DL was a fine coach and Butler just might be as well. I also think the biggest changes needed were in the players not the coaches. Now it seems that there may be some guys developing enough to make an improvement from last year. That remains to be seen but it could happen. I expect to see little change based on the scheme and the effectiveness from an x and o stand point but hope that I am wrong. The only reason I truly believe that one needed to move on from DL was age related. He was of the age that stress could have been a factor on his health at anytime even though there seems to be longevity on his side. The other aspect was the team had already promised the job to his replacement that was on the team some time ago. It was possible that Butler was getting tired of waiting and was going to go somewhere else and then the succession of one coach to his longtime assistant would not be there. At that point if a stroke or heart attack hit DL or he decided he needed to retire the steelers would have been out of luck and not had the good back up plan available that they worked hard to cultivate. They would have other options just not the ones they wanted.

 

[Vader]

I don't think people think Butler is going to be a defensive wizard, but they did see that we needed a change. Kind of what Bill gave us when he replaced Chuck. Hopefully the result will be as positive.

I find it odd that most on here would never want Tomlin gone but it's ok to get rid of DL because of "change". Tomlin hasn't proven half of what DL has in his coaching career. DL is a HOF player and coach. He's been one of the best DC in the history of the game.

Also it's interesting that Tomlin can't be replaced because you don't get rid of a decent coach because of the unknown coach. Butler is an unknown quantity and has never been a DC at the NFL level. So it appears that every single argument for keeping Tomlin can be used for DL but nobody will use them because Tomlin is untouchable.

 

[stillwright]

I find it odd that most on here would never want Tomlin gone but it's ok to get rid of DL because of "change". Tomlin hasn't proven half of what DL has in his coaching career. DL is a HOF player and coach. He's been one of the best DC in the history of the game.

Also it's interesting that Tomlin can't be replaced because you don't get rid of a decent coach because of the unknown coach. Butler is an unknown quantity and has never been a DC at the NFL level. So it appears that every single argument for keeping Tomlin can be used for DL but nobody will use them because Tomlin is untouchable.

I wouldn't say most on here. You have your supporters, your non supporters and the in between posters that while disappointed at times with Tomlin we/they realize we probably could do worse. If they fired him tomorrow I wouldn't miss him. I just get tired of the comparison to Cowher. I remember when everyone wanted him fired also. The Rooney's held on to hi'm and he brought us another SB and had influence into another.

 

[diver]

I find it odd that most on here would never want Tomlin gone but it's ok to get rid of DL because of "change". Tomlin hasn't proven half of what DL has in his coaching career. DL is a HOF player and coach. He's been one of the best DC in the history of the game.

Also it's interesting that Tomlin can't be replaced because you don't get rid of a decent coach because of the unknown coach. Butler is an unknown quantity and has never been a DC at the NFL level. So it appears that every single argument for keeping Tomlin can be used for DL but nobody will use them because Tomlin is untouchable.

I don't know if it is OK as much as it seems a natural order of things. Kinda like when my Dad got older and couldn't do some things anymore, the sons take over. I thought the world or DL. If he was still here, that would be more than OK. I am also fine with a new guy taking over. Your point about talent is what matters. The defense slipped because the talent wasn't there. It isn't going to be some new and innovative scheme or something that will change anything. They need talent. Maybe some of these guys will show they have great talent. We'll see. But if the D improves, it will be more about that than who the coach is.

 

[Vader]

I don't know if it is OK as much as it seems a natural order of things. Kinda like when my Dad got older and couldn't do some things anymore, the sons take over. I thought the world or DL. If he was still here, that would be more than OK. I am also fine with a new guy taking over. Your point about talent is what matters. The defense slipped because the talent wasn't there. It isn't going to be some new and innovative scheme or something that will change anything. They need talent. Maybe some of these guys will show they have great talent. We'll see. But if the D improves, it will be more about that than who the coach is.

I agree. But why extend Colbert and Tomlin if you know their talent evaluations have been below the line? It appears as if they blame DL and think now that Butler is coaching that the talent is going to be better. I don't see that.

And Tomlin is one of the most tenured coaches in the NFL. Isn't it time for "Change". This will be his 9th year. Almost a decade. Time for new blood, change, and the sons to take over right?

I understand DL isn't young anymore. I really have no problem with him stepping down if he felt ready. I don't understand the organization, who prides themselves on stability, firing him for a guy that has never been a DC at the NFL level. I like Butler but I'm not getting rid of arguably the best DC in the history of the NFL for a guy that nobody knows will be any better and probably will never touch what DL has been.

 

[slashsteel]

I agree. But why extend Colbert and Tomlin if you know their talent evaluations have been below the line? It appears as if they blame DL and think now that Butler is coaching that the talent is going to be better. I don't see that.

And Tomlin is one of the most tenured coaches in the NFL. Isn't it time for "Change". This will be his 9th year. Almost a decade. Time for new blood, change, and the sons to take over right?

I understand DL isn't young anymore. I really have no problem with him stepping down if he felt ready. I don't understand the organization, who prides themselves on stability, firing him for a guy that has never been a DC at the NFL level. I like Butler but I'm not getting rid of arguably the best DC in the history of the NFL for a guy that nobody knows will be any better and probably will never touch what DL has been.

thing is the talent they assembled has managed not to have a losing season in Tomlin's tenure.

That talent eval brought in Antonio, Bryant, Bell, Timmons, Beachum, Gilbert (improving), and DeCastro,

And this is how I think the Rooney's look at it , not necessarily my take.

And I think Colbert was stronger out of the gates, but as long as the Steelers keep winning you can forget about either being replaced.

I can see them trying to plug holes, just not as overall productive as I like, and perhaps many others.

I think the FO has done a solid job of providing competition, it just seems like they are struggling at corner and OLBer to field SB caliber units at those positions..

I think in the end they both were extended because

the FO believes in consistency

the FO wants to sell tickets

above .500 football achieves that

 

[Vader]

thing is the talent they assembled has managed not to have a losing season in Tomlin's tenure.

That talent eval brought in Antonio, Bryant, Bell, Timmons, Beachum, Gilbert (improving), and DeCastro,

And this is how I think the Rooney's look at it , not necessarily my take.

And I think Colbert was stronger out of the gates, but as long as the Steelers keep winning you can forget about either being replaced.

I can see them trying to plug holes, just not as overall productive as I like, and perhaps many others.

I think the FO has done a solid job of providing competition, it just seems like they are struggling at corner and OLBer to field SB caliber units at those positions..

I think in the end they both were extended because

the FO believes in consistency

the FO wants to sell tickets

above .500 football achieves that

The only reason they haven't had a losing season is because of Ben. The defense was horrible last year. It hasn't been this bad since Noll left. The offense played against some of the worst defenses in the league last year and when they ran into a good defense like the Jets they were shut down.

And again, DL hasn't had a losing season either. Why is he kicked out but the people responsible for drafting the defense are extended?

Colbert was stronger when he had Cowher. I really don't think Tomlin brings that much to the table other than stability. Rooney picks his staff, forces him to get rid of BA, and always has former HCs around. He has two former HCs on the offense alone. I just don't see what Tomlin brings to the table other than just being stable and not rocking the boat.

I know he nor Colbert are going anywhere. It is what it is. I just don't see why DL had to go but it's done now. We'll see what Butler has but this 4-3 3-4 mesh doesn't look promising to me. It looks like a "damn we suck at getting to the qb so let's throw this **** at the wall and see what happens".

 

[slashsteel]

The only reason they haven't had a losing season is because of Ben. The defense was horrible last year. It hasn't been this bad since Noll left. The offense played against some of the worst defenses in the league last year and when they ran into a good defense like the Jets they were shut down.

And again, DL hasn't had a losing season either. Why is he kicked out but the people responsible for drafting the defense are extended?

Colbert was stronger when he had Cowher. I really don't think Tomlin brings that much to the table other than stability. Rooney picks his staff, forces him to get rid of BA, and always has former HCs around. He has two former HCs on the offense alone. I just don't see what Tomlin brings to the table other than just being stable and not rocking the boat.

I know he nor Colbert are going anywhere. It is what it is. I just don't see why DL had to go but it's done now. We'll see what Butler has but this 4-3 3-4 mesh doesn't look promising to me. It looks like a "damn we suck at getting to the qb so let's throw this **** at the wall and see what happens".

That D was looking pretty bad in spots..... I think DL received some of the blame, some of it warranted , how much is very debatable.

So they know DL was old in the tooth and they didn't want to lose Butler.

Maybe DL has been here so long players stopped listening.

And with Butler they are hoping for yeah like yinz mention something on the wall sticks and improvement results.

like you said it is what it is now we just hope for the best

 

[jitter77]

What we were doing was not working so why not try new stuff. The problem with Lebeau was he did the same stuff no matter what. He was set in his ways and reluctant to adjust/change. When our d was good we had excellent non selfish players who knew their role and were good at it. We also had players that could make up deficiencies in the scheme. Recently we didn't have the players plus the whole world knows what we are bringing now. Hopefully butler at least adds a few wrinkles and mixes things up.

 

[Vader]

That D was looking pretty bad in spots..... I think DL received some of the blame, some of it warranted , how much is very debatable.

So they know DL was old in the tooth and they didn't want to lose Butler.

Maybe DL has been here so long players stopped listening.

And with Butler they are hoping for yeah like yinz mention something on the wall sticks and improvement results.

like you said it is what it is now we just hope for the best

Like I said, I can understand them wanting to move on. But then to turn around and give extensions to Tomlin and Colbert who drafted the "talent" on defense makes no sense. Colbert has been here for going on 16 years and Tomlin has been here 9 years. If the defense was bad while having great players than I could see removing the DC. But using a ton of 1st round picks on guys don't work out isn't DL fault.

 

[Vader]

What we were doing was not working so why not try new stuff. The problem with Lebeau was he did the same stuff no matter what. He was set in his ways and reluctant to adjust/change. When our d was good we had excellent non selfish players who knew their role and were good at it. We also had players that could make up deficiencies in the scheme. Recently we didn't have the players plus the whole world knows what we are bringing now. Hopefully butler at least adds a few wrinkles and mixes things up.

Every report I've seen on DL said he innovated more than any DC in the league even at his age. What do you when your ROLB is hurt and can't touch the QB even when healthy? What do you do when your #1 CB can't cover a $2 bet? What do you do when your HOF safety is over the hill? What do you do when your LOLB is average against the run and not good at rushing the QB? What do you do when the FO signs Cam Thomas?

There is nothing new in football. It's basic play calling and having talent at the right spots. Anybody that thinks Butler has some super secret new stuff doesn't know football. Maybe a wrinkle or two but nothing that is going to make the defense markedly better without adding more talent.

 

[Steelbar]

Butler was also never a DC at a high level college team but hey he knows the brilliant Tomlin for years.

 

[stillwright]

Butler was also never a DC at a high level college team but hey he knows the brilliant Tomlin for years.

Butler said it was time for him to become a DC. The only question was whether that was here or somewhere else. Tomlin decided to move forward with Bultler. Numerous teams have been trying to grab Butler as their DC for a number of years. Amazing how you turn this into something to ***** about Tomlin. Tomlin has made his share of mistake over the years but giving Butler his shot I don't believe is one of them.

 

[Steelbar]

I could care less what you believe , we dumped the greatest DC in history for a guy no real track record, of course he is a Tomlin friend of which many have coached here and have been let go for being poor coaches.Tomlin has very little previous coaching experience before becoming our HC so his ties are all to coaches he coached with at a low level in college.

 

[SteelChip]

I could care less what you believe , we dumped the greatest DC in history for a guy no real track record, of course he is a Tomlin friend of which many have coached here and have been let go for being poor coaches.Tomlin has very little previous coaching experience before becoming our HC so his ties are all to coaches he coached with at a low level in college.

I have no clue what you just wrote except for this part..."we dumped the greatest DC in history"

Charles Richard "Dick" LeBeau, born September 9, 1937 ...think about that a minute.

then you said,,,, "for a guy no real track record of course he is a Tomlin friend".

Butler, Pittsburgh's linebackers coach for 12 seasons means he was here way before Tomlin and if someone can't project competence in 12 years, there's a real problem somewhere.

Also...he was LeBeau's friend way before he even knew Tomlin so the " of course he is a Tomlin friend " is just clueless bullshit.