Steelers fire senior special teams coach in shock move

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Special Teams Coordinator Derius Swinton II, reacts on the sidelines during a 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Steelers have parted ways with senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II due to a violation of club policy," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday morning.

Pittsburgh Steelers and Sr. special teams coach Derrius Swinton have parted ways due to violation of club policy, per league sources.

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 29, 2026

The exact details of the policy Swinton reportedly violated are unclear.

Part of the Steelers' new coaching staff under head coach Mike McCarthy, Swinton entered 2026 as Pittsburgh's top special teams assistant behind coordinator Danny Crossman. Swinton is an experienced NFL coach with history on offense, defense, and special teams. He was most recently the interim special teams coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, where he worked alongside now-Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

Crossman is now the Steelers' lone special teams coach.

With Swinton suddenly off of the Steelers staff, it remains unclear if the team will look to hire a replacement this late in the process. The team has just four OTAs remaining.

Swinton first joined in the NFL in 2008 as a graduate assistant the Tennessee Titans.