Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is back in charge of an NFL defense once again. The Pittsburgh Steelers are promoting Austin to the role, replacing Keith Butler in running the defense under longtime head coach Mike Tomlin.
Austin had been the team’s secondary coach and senior defensive assistant since the 2019 campaign.
He was a popular figure in his time in Detroit. Austin led the Lions defense from 2014 to 2017 while Jim Caldwell was the head coach. His first unit in Detroit finished third in scoring defense and second in yards allowed. It marked the first time since 1993 the Lions finished in the NFL’s top 10 in either category.