Steelers find their new offensive line coach
By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, January 14, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_662121.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 62121.html[/url]
The Steelers moved quickly to hire a new offensive line coach Wednesday with the addition of former Buffalo Bills assistant Sean Kugler, according to NFL.com.
Kugler, who was released last week along with the rest of Buffalo's staff, spent two years with the Bills. He was an assistant with Detroit from 2001-2005.
Kugler replaces Larry Zierlein, who was fired last week.
Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler, considered the likely replacement for legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau when he retires, was granted permission to speak with the Miami Dolphins about that team's defensive coordinator opening, according to South Florida media reports.
The Steelers will have another hole to fill, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Washington Redskins hired Lou Spanos as their linebackers coach.
Spanos has spent 16 seasons on the Steelers' coaching staff, including 15 as an assistant linebackers coach.
Butler just finished his seventh season with the Steelers. He coached Cleveland's linebackers from 1999-2002, where he worked with Dolphins coach Tony Sparano for two seasons. He is expected to interview with the Dolphins before the end of the weekend.
Butler's association with Sparano and his familiarity with the 3-4 defense make him attractive to Miami. However, former New York Jets and University of Virginia coach Al Groh, who has worked in the past with Miami executive vice president/football operations Bill Parcells, is viewed as the frontrunner to fill the vacancy created by Paul Pasqualoni's firing earlier this week.
Groh is said to be fielding other offers, including one as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. Groh interviewed with Parcells yesterday, according to ESPN.com. If he doesn't accept the Dolphins' job, that could open the door for Butler.
Notes: Steelers football and business administration officer Omar Khan is among four finalists for Seattle's general manager's vacancy. Khan interviewed Tuesday with new coach Pete Carroll and Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke, who said Carroll may have the final say on the hire, depending on the candidate ... Linebacker Derrick Doggett, a special-teams star with Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League, has signed with the Steelers, the Winnipeg Sun reported.
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