The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have conducted a virtual interview with Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith for their vacant special teams position. This comes amid significant staff changes for both teams following disappointing seasons. Smith, a veteran coach with nearly 30 years of NFL experience, is seen as one of the league's top special teams minds.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on January 16, 2026, that they had completed a virtual interview with Danny Smith, the Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams coordinator of the past 13 seasons. "We've completed a virtual interview with Danny Smith for our open special teams coordinator position. Smith has served as the Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator for the last 13 seasons," the team stated in an official release.
Smith, 72, joined the Steelers in 2013 and has become a beloved figure on the sideline, known for his fiery personality and gum-chewing habit. His units have consistently performed well, producing Pro Bowl and All-Pro players such as Miles Killebrew and Ben Skowronek. Despite an up-and-down season for Pittsburgh's offense and defense, Smith's special teams coverage and return units remained reliable, even contributing effectively in the team's wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans by a score of 30-6 on January 12, 2026.
The interview occurs as the Steelers navigate a coaching transition after head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down on January 13 following 19 years with the team. The organization has informed assistants, including Smith, to explore other opportunities, though a new head coach could retain some staff. Smith entered the NFL in 1995 and has served as a special teams coach for nearly three decades, with a brief stint as tight ends coach for the Detroit Lions.
For the Buccaneers, the move addresses the firing of special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey as part of a broader assistant purge after a disappointing 2025 season that fell short of high expectations. Head coach Todd Bowles was retained, but multiple changes were made to revitalize the staff. Tampa Bay's search for a new coordinator highlights Smith's extensive experience and track record of success in the phase of the game.
As the Steelers' head coaching search unfolds over the coming weeks, they risk losing key assistants like Smith, widely regarded as one of the NFL's best in his role.
