Breaking news: Steelers hire Redskins Danny Smith Special Teams coach

[stillers4me]

Dan HellieVerified‏@DanHellie2h

Source: Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith leaving for Steelers. They've been after him for a while. Pittsburgh is home.


Steelers to hire Redskins Danny Smith as special teams coach

Posted by Curtis Crabtree on January 30, 2013, 5:35 PM EST
APThe Pittsburgh Steelers have been searching for a new special teams after Amos Jones elected to join Bruce Arians’ staff with the Arizona Cardinals.
A day after receiving permission to interview Washington Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith, it appears the Steelers have found their man. According to Dan Hellie of NBC4 in Washington D.C., Smith will leave the Redskins to return home to Pittsburgh.
Smith has served as the Redskins special teams coach since 2004.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry/rumor-mill/

[fansince'76]

In 2011, Smith’s special teams unit ranked first in the NFC in kick return average allowed (20.8 yards) for the second consecutive season. Additionally, the unit ranked fifth in the NFC in opponents’ average starting position (21.8-yard line on kickoffs).

http://www.redskins.com/team/coaches...0-44f2fbc467e7

Sounds promising. Hope he can eliminate the stupid penalties that killed so many good returns this past season.

[Dwinsgames]

this was a good hire on paper , hopefully its proves to be when it matters

[polamalubeast]

The ST of the redskins was 27th in 2012....ouch!

[Steeldude]

The ST of the redskins was 27th in 2012....ouch!

Redskins are probably happy

[zulater]

The ST of the redskins was 27th in 2012....ouch!

Where were the Steelers ranked?

Also I heard that the Redskins started off terrible and improved as the season went on in special teams.

[polamalubeast]

Where were the Steelers ranked?

Also I heard that the Redskins started off terrible and improved as the season went on in special teams.

17th

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst

[GBMelBlount]

Well liked.

Mediocre results.

Should fit in perfect.

[X-Terminator]

I still don't understand why they passed up on so many better candidates and hired this guy instead. Do they even care about special teams???

I hope Smith does well, but I'm not holding my breath. Don't think a damn thing is going to change next season, and this time next year they will be looking for ANOTHER ST coach.

I'm getting a little miffed at all of these mediocre coaching hires.

[zulater]

I still don't understand why they passed up on so many better candidates and hired this guy instead. Do they even care about special teams???

I hope Smith does well, but I'm not holding my breath. Don't think a damn thing is going to change next season, and this time next year they will be looking for ANOTHER ST coach.

I'm getting a little miffed at all of these mediocre coaching hires.

Isn't Tomlin in charge of coaching hires? If so how the coaches perform falls entirely on him.

[Dwinsgames]

Danny Smith, always an energetic presence on and off the field, has directed the Redskins' special teams since 2004, establishing Washington as one of the top returning and coverage units in the National Football League.Smith is in his ninth season with the Redskins and his 18th overall NFL campaign.
In 2011, Smith’s special teams unit ranked first in the NFC in kick return average allowed (20.8 yards) for the second consecutive season. Additionally, the unit ranked fifth in the NFC in opponents’ average starting position (21.8-yard line on kickoffs).

not sure what all the fuss is about /shrug

[fansince'76]

not sure what all the fuss is about /shrug

He outlasted two head coaches on that coaching carousel that Snyder runs in Washington, which tells me he can't be THAT bad. I also think he should at least be given a chance before people start shitting all over him.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I still don't understand why they passed up on so many better candidates and hired this guy instead. Do they even care about special teams???

I hope Smith does well, but I'm not holding my breath. Don't think a damn thing is going to change next season, and this time next year they will be looking for ANOTHER ST coach.

I'm getting a little miffed at all of these mediocre coaching hires.

He's a Pittsburgh guy. Lately that seems to be more important in the coaches that get hired than hiring someone who's had recent success.

I don't know. It looks like he did a real good job the previous 2 years and then had a bad season this year. We'll see what happens.

[steelerdude15]

My friend who is a Redskins fan, told me that Danny Smith is a good coach. I hope he can improve our lackluster special teams.

[st33lersguy]

Can't be worse than the idiot that Arians got rid of for us

[86WARD]

Redskins special teams were pretty bad last year and if the Redskins thought highly of him, this move would have never happened. Maybe a change of scenery will help.

[Dwinsgames]

Redskins special teams were pretty bad last year and if the Redskins thought highly of him, this move would have never happened. Maybe a change of scenery will help.

the prior couple season where among the best in the league ( same coach )

coaches coach / players play /shrug

[GBMelBlount]

the prior couple season where among the best in the league ( same coach )

coaches coach / players play /shrug

Wonder why they had a drop off then.

I realize there are a lot of variables...

[Dwinsgames]

Wonder why they had a drop off then.

I realize there are a lot of variables...

not sure , as I do not follow the redskins roster that much but it only takes a few players injured or no longer with the team to halt success in ST be it poor play , excessive penalties , some bad luck or a combination of all of it ... I wont hold 1 season against an otherwise very good ST coach the past several years .... we will see what he can do with the bunch or misfits we field and I suspect we will see some marked improvements ( no place to go but up right ? " gulp " )