The Pittsburgh Steelers parted ways with senior assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II on May 29 after what the team described as a violation of club policy, a sudden move that leaves the club with one special teams coach for now. 's Adam Schefter reported the change Thursday as Pittsburgh worked through organized team activities and headed toward mandatory minicamp next week.
For Swinton, the dismissal ends a short stay in Pittsburgh that began in February, when he was hired a week after special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. The timing makes the move notable now because the Steelers are in the middle of OTA work, and the unit is already adjusting to an offseason overhaul that has changed the room around it.
Swinton brought a long résumé to Pittsburgh. He had recently worked with the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, and he previously coached for the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. He was also the Raiders' interim special teams coach last season after Tom McMahon was fired in November, and he shared time with Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in Las Vegas.
The reason behind the policy violation was not disclosed, and that silence fits an organization that usually keeps personnel matters close to the vest. But the practical effect is clear: Pittsburgh is moving ahead with Crossman alone on special teams for the moment, even as the group has been turned over this offseason. Miles Killebrew, James Pierre and Connor Heyward signed elsewhere, Corliss Waitman left for the San Francisco 49ers, and the Steelers added Cameron Johnston while giving Chris Boswell a new extension.
Swinton's track record shows why the opening was watched closely. He served as a full-time special teams coordinator for the 49ers in 2016 and the Chargers in 2021, and lasted one season in each job. Whether Pittsburgh brings in another coach to fill the vacancy is unresolved, but for now the Steelers have one less voice in a room that was already being remade before minicamp arrives next week.
