Keith Butler coached with the Steelers through three Super Bowls, helping the team win two.
He won't get another.
The 65-year-old defensive coordinator announced his retirement Saturday night, ending a career with the team that began in 2003 as the team's linebackers coach.
"It is an emotional day as I announce I am retiring from my football coaching career," said Butler in a release by the team. "I have spent every year since 1990 as a coach in the NFL and the NCAA, but the time is right for me to walk away after a successful career, both playing and coaching the game I love.
"I want to thank the Rooney family, Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin and all the coaches and players that I have been involved with over my entire coaching career. I look forward to spending more time with my family, whom have been so supportive of me throughout the years. I wish nothing but the best to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I will be cheering them on during my retirement."
Butler was elevated to defensive coordinator in place of Dick LeBeau after the 2015 season and has helped the Steelers lead the NFL in sacks in each of the past five seasons. Before the Steelers' recent run, no team had ever led the NFL in sacks more than two consecutive years.
"I want to thank Keith Butler for everything he has done for the Steelers since he was hired in 2003," Art Rooney II said. "He was a major contributor to some of our top defenses in the NFL during his coaching career. He helped us win two Super Bowls during his tenure, and he guided many All-Pro and Pro Bowl players as both our linebackers coach and then defensive coordinator.
"I wish he and his family all the best in his retirement."
Four times in his seven seasons as defensive coordinator the Steelers finished in the top-10 in yards allowed. They also finished in the top-10 in points allowed four times in that span.
But injuries ravaged the team's defense in 2021, as they slipped to 24th in yards allowed -- including dead last in rushing defense -- and 20th in points allowed.
Butler was hired in 2003 by then-head coach Cowher to coach the team's linebackers after being let go by the Browns, where he was part of the team's original staff when it came back to the NFL in 1999.
Prior to that, Butler had been an assistant coach at Arkansas State in 1998 -- with Tomlin -- and at Memphis from 1990 through 1997. He and Tomlin also were together at Memphis.
Butler was a three-year starter at linebacker at Memphis during his playing days before enjoying a 10-year NFL career with the Seahawks that ended in 1987.
The Steelers will look at internal and external replacements for Butler. The top internal option would be senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin. Austin, 56, has been with the Steelers the past three seasons after previously serving as a coordinator for the Lions and Bengals.
Austin also was secondary coach with the Ravens from 2011 through 2013, winning a Super Bowl with that franchise.
