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The tenure of Pittsburgh Steelers senior special teams coach Derius Swinton is already over.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and Swinton have “parted ways,” with Schefter listing the reason as a “violation of club policy.”
“Pittsburgh Steelers and Sr. special teams coach Derrius Swinton have parted ways due to violation of club policy, per league sources,” Schefter reported.
It is currently unclear what that violation was.
While Schefter says “parted ways,” Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports the team “relieved” Swinton of his duties, so it appears he was indeed fired.
Swinton was hired by the Steelers back in February after the team hired new special teams coordinator Danny Crossman.
Crossman was hired to replace long-time NFL special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
MORE: Ben Roethlisberger expresses concern about Drew Allar
The hiring of Swinton marked the first time the Steelers had two coaches with “special teams” in their titles in quite some time, as Smith used to fly solo.
Swinton began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee.
He got his first NFL job back in 2009, when he became the special teams quality control coach of the then-St. Louis Rams.
He held the same title for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.
Since then, he has spent stints with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
MORE: Steelers former first-round pick has uncertain future
His most prominent job came in 2016 with the Niners, where he served as the special teams coordinator for the franchise.
Swinton also had a brief stint as the Raiders’ special teams coordinator on an interim basis in 2025.
When hired, Swinton did not have any clear connection to new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, but he was on the Raiders’ staff with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Swinton played college ball at Hampton University, where he collected 103 tackles, 19 passes defensed and eight interceptions from 2003 to 2006.
Swinton did not play in the NFL.
Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It remains unclear as of this moment if the Steelers are going to hire a replacement for Swinton. We should find that out in the days and weeks ahead.
Pittsburgh could use as much help as it could get on special teams, though.
According to Bill Huber of On SI, the Steelers ranked tied for 17th in special teams last season.
Continue reading...
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and Swinton have “parted ways,” with Schefter listing the reason as a “violation of club policy.”
“Pittsburgh Steelers and Sr. special teams coach Derrius Swinton have parted ways due to violation of club policy, per league sources,” Schefter reported.
It is currently unclear what that violation was.
While Schefter says “parted ways,” Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports the team “relieved” Swinton of his duties, so it appears he was indeed fired.
Swinton was hired by the Steelers back in February after the team hired new special teams coordinator Danny Crossman.
Crossman was hired to replace long-time NFL special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
MORE: Ben Roethlisberger expresses concern about Drew Allar
The hiring of Swinton marked the first time the Steelers had two coaches with “special teams” in their titles in quite some time, as Smith used to fly solo.
Derius Swinton’s coaching career
Swinton began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee.
He got his first NFL job back in 2009, when he became the special teams quality control coach of the then-St. Louis Rams.
He held the same title for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.
Since then, he has spent stints with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
MORE: Steelers former first-round pick has uncertain future
His most prominent job came in 2016 with the Niners, where he served as the special teams coordinator for the franchise.
Swinton also had a brief stint as the Raiders’ special teams coordinator on an interim basis in 2025.
When hired, Swinton did not have any clear connection to new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, but he was on the Raiders’ staff with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Swinton played college ball at Hampton University, where he collected 103 tackles, 19 passes defensed and eight interceptions from 2003 to 2006.
Swinton did not play in the NFL.
What’s next for the Steelers?
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Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It remains unclear as of this moment if the Steelers are going to hire a replacement for Swinton. We should find that out in the days and weeks ahead.
Pittsburgh could use as much help as it could get on special teams, though.
According to Bill Huber of On SI, the Steelers ranked tied for 17th in special teams last season.
Continue reading...
