Steelers Hire Karl Dunbar as New Defensive Line Coach

Karl Dunbar was hired by the Steelers on Thursday as defensive line coach, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

He replaces long-time Steelers assistant John Mitchell, who will remain on the staff as assistant head coach.

Dunbar, 50, was an eighth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1990. He spent the past two years coaching the Alabama defensive line.

Mitchell, 66, just finished his 24th season as Steelers defensive line coach, making him the longest-tenured member of the Steelers coaching staff. He has been the team’s assistant head coach since 2007.

Under Mitchell’s direction, defensive end Cam Heyward recorded a career-high 12 sacks in 2017, the second most by a Steelers defensive lineman since the stat became official in 1982.

In his new role, according to a Steelers press release, Mitchell will “oversee staff development, work with current and former players in career development and assist coach Mike Tomlin in community-related events.”