Teryl Austin

Teryl Austin is entering his second season as the Steelers' senior defensive assistant/secondary and 17th year in the National Football League coaching ranks. He was hired on January 11, 2019.

Austin coached a group of defensive backs that helped the Steelers defense rank as one of the NFL's best in 2019. Pittsburgh limited 11 opponents below 200 yards passing, which led the League. The Steelers ranked top-five in the NFL in interceptions (2nd, 20), interception rate (2nd, 3.89%), pass defense (3rd, 194.6), yards per play allowed (3rd, 4.72), passes defensed (3rd, 99), opposing passer rating (4th, 79.7), pass yards per attempt allowed (4th, 6.06), total defense (5th, 304.1) and scoring defense (5th, 18.9).

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and cornerback Joe Haden led the way.

Fitzpatrick, who was named All-Pro, had 5 interceptions, 2 forced fumble and 3 fumble recoveries in 2019. His 8 total takeaways (interceptions and fumble recoveries) led the NFL. Fitzpatrick's 9 combined interceptions (5), forced fumbles (1) and fumble recoveries (3) ranked third in the NFL. He recorded defensive TDs in back-to-back games, including a 96-yard interception return for a TD against the Colts (Nov. 3) and a 43-yard fumble return for TD against the Rams (Nov. 10). Fitzpatrick ranked tied for fourth in the NFL with 5 interceptions.

Haden recorded 65 tackles, 17 passes defensed, 5 interceptions, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in 2019. He either led the Steelers or tied for the team lead in passes defensed (17) and interceptions (5, tied). Haden ranked tied for fourth in the NFL in passes defensed, interceptions and total takeaways (5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery).

Austin brings 15 years of NFL coaching experience to the Steelers, having most recently served as the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals (2018) and the Detroit Lions (2014-17).

While with the Lions, Austin's defensive units ranked in the Top-10 among all NFL teams in total yards per game allowed (340.3/10th), rushing yards per game allowed (100.3/8th) and the number of games in which opponents were held to 20 points or less (34/tied for 6th).

In 2017, the Lions finished third in the NFL with 32 takeaways, tied for second in fumbles recoveries (13) and tied for fifth with a +10 turnover differential. In 2016, Austin's defensive squad helped the team advanced to the playoffs as the unit tied for second in the NFL by holding opposing offenses to 21 points or less in 10 games. During the 2015 season, the Lions' defense registered 43 sacks to finish seventh in the NFL. In 2014, his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, Austin coordinated one of the League's most dominant defenses, finishing second in total defense (300.9 yards per game) and third in scoring defense (17.6 points per game). The defense also finished first in the NFL in rush defense with an aver- age of 69.3 yards allowed per game — the ninth-best opponent per-game rushing tally in NFL history.

Prior to his time with Detroit, Austin served as a defensive backs coach for a combined 10 years with three NFL teams: Seattle Seahawks (2003-06), Arizona Cardinals (2007-09) and Baltimore Ravens (2011-13). In each of his three stops as a position coach, Austin helped lead his team to Super Bowl appearances (Seattle in 2005 and Arizona in 2008), while securing a 2012 Championship with Baltimore.

From 2011-13, Austin served as the secondary coach of the Ravens, developing the secondary into an integral part of one of the NFL's most consistent defenses in recent years. In 2012, Austin's secondary helped advance the Ravens to its Super Bowl XLVII Championship run. In his first season with Baltimore, in 2011, the Ravens yielded a league-low 11 passing TDs and surrendered the third-fewest points per game (16.6), tying an NFL record by ranking in the top three in points allowed for the fourth consecutive campaign.

In 2010, Austin served at the helm of the University of Florida's defense which recorded 22 interceptions — the fourth-most in the nation — returning four for TDs. The Gators' 538 interception return yards were the most in the nation. Austin's unit led the SEC in conference games, allowing just 310.8 yards per game, including 175.5 passing.

Three of Austin's defensive backs with the Arizona Cardinals earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, S Antrel Rolle and S Adrian Wilson. Austin helped guide Rodgers-Cromartie, the team's first-round pick in 2008, to a team-best 4 interceptions in the regular season and 2 durng the playoffs. In 2007, the Cardinals led the League with 6 interceptions returned for TDs and 551 interception return yards.

Austin played a key role in the development of the Seahawks' young secondary during his 2003-06 tenure in Seattle. Seattle's defense produced 67 interceptions over Austin's four-year span, tying for the 10th-most in the NFL from 2003-07.

Austin's college coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Penn State (1991-92). He held stints as the defensive backs coach at Wake Forest (1993-95), Syracuse (1996-98) and Michigan (1999-2002). Austin was a three-year starter and four-year letterman at safety for the University of Pittsburgh from 1983-87. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Pittsburgh in 1988. Austin played for the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football in 1991, after attending training camps with the Washington Redskins and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL).

Austin, a native of Sharon, Pa., attended Sharon (Pa.) High School. He and his wife, April, have five children, including sons Tyler, Trey and Torin, and daughters Alexa and Alivia.