Steelers Hire New Assistant Special Teams Coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired a new Assistant Special Teams Coach. Though not officially announced in a press release by the team, per the Steelers’ website on its front office page, Darian Thompson is listed as Pittsburgh’s Special Teams Quality Control Coach.

Presumably, Thompson replaces Derius Swinton II, with whom the team parted ways earlier this offseason just months after his hiring. Mike McCarthy told reporters he intended to hire a replacement, and it appears Thompson is the answer.

Thompson played safety in the NFL from 2016-21, appearing in 63 games with 28 starts. He recorded 173 tackles and two interceptions. He logged nearly 800 career special teams snaps.

Like many of McCarthy’s hires, Thompson and McCarthy have history. Thompson played for McCarthy in Dallas from 2020-21. In 2020, he appeared in 15 games with seven starts.

In 2023, McCarthy hired Thompson to serve as the team’s Assistant Linebackers and Quality Control coach. In 2025 after McCarthy and the Cowboys parted ways, Thompson was named Dallas’ secondary/nickel coach.

As a player, McCarthy praised Thompson’s work ethic.

“I’ll say this: He definitely has lived up to his reputation,” McCarthy told reporters in 2020. “His work ethic, his workload capacity is outstanding. …He’s having a great camp.”

Thompson was originally a third-round pick of the New York Giants in 2016.

Shortly after McCarthy’s hire, we floated Thompson as a possible hire as a defensive assistant. That didn’t happen. But Thompson has found his way to Pittsburgh in a different role as a special teams assistant. He’ll work alongside veteran special teams coach Danny Crossman, who replaced the outgoing Danny Smith.

Swinton was reportedly let go after unspecified workplace misconduct.

In past years, Pittsburgh’s special teams’ units were strong in some areas but weak in others. Chris Boswell has been one of the league’s best kickers throughout his career while the Steelers’ coverage units have normally been strong. Negatively, the team’s return game, especially on kicks, have been among football’s worst. Even in a difficult climate, punt production has also been lackluster.