The Pittsburgh Steelers cut ties Friday with senior assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II, abruptly ending his stint just over three months after he joined Mike McCarthy’s staff. Reports have linked the move to a violation of club policy, but the team has yet to publicly explain what led to the decision. Swinton was hired in February to help special teams coordinator Danny Crossman as McCarthy assembled his new staff.
What the reports say
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first broke the news on X, writing, “Pittsburgh Steelers and Sr. special teams coach Derrius Swinton have parted ways due to violation of club policy, per league sources,” a line later picked up by outlets including ProFootballTalk. Early coverage has not offered any details about what specific policy was allegedly violated or whether any legal proceedings are involved.
Swinton's short stay and résumé
Swinton appeared on the Steelers’ coaching roster when the team finalized McCarthy’s staff on Feb. 12, 2026, listed as senior special teams assistant. According to the club’s official bio, he spent the previous three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and finished the 2025 campaign as their interim special teams coordinator. His résumé also includes special teams coordinator stops with the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Chargers during a lengthy NFL coaching career.
Immediate staff impact
With Swinton out, Crossman is now the only coach on McCarthy’s staff carrying a special teams title, leaving an immediate vacancy on a unit that is already in the middle of offseason work. Local outlet WPXI reported that the Steelers have not issued an official comment and that Swinton is not expected to be part of the 2026 staff. It is not yet clear whether Pittsburgh will promote from within or look outside the building before on-field sessions ramp back up.
Why this matters
The move is the latest twist in a broader coaching overhaul in Pittsburgh after longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down in January, a transition covered nationally by outlets such as AP News. Swinton’s sudden exit adds another layer of uncertainty for a staff that is still settling under McCarthy's heading into summer workouts. For a franchise that usually sells stability, losing a coach in late May is the kind of thing both fans and players tend to notice.
Details remain scarce, and the situation is still unfolding. Hoodline will update this story as soon as the Steelers or the league provide official comment or further reporting clarifies why Swinton was dismissed, and local beat writers will be watching closely to see whether the team moves quickly to fill the special teams vacancy before mandatory minicamp.
