Ex-Steelers Defensive Back Leaves Colts Coaching Staff

Originally appeared at Steelers Now: Ex-Steelers Defensive Back Leaves Colts Coaching Staff

Former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell is not having his contract with the Indianapolis Colts renewed, meaning he will depart the organization, according to a report by Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Mitchell had been with the team has part of their coaching staff as the assistant defensive backs coach.

Of course, the Steelers are now looking for an assistant defensive backs coach. The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Gerald Alexander as their safeties coach.

Alexander has spend the last two seasons as the Steelers’ assistant defensive backs coach. He also interviewed for the New England Patriots defensive coordinator position this offseason and will be working with the linebackers at the East-West Shrine Bowl next week.

A former NFL safety for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, Alexander joined the Steelers’ staff in 2022 on the recommendation of Brian Flores, who he had worked for in Miami. 

Alexander is the third coach to officially depart the Steelers following the end of the 2023 season, following offensive assistant Glenn Thomas and strength and conditioning coach Marcel Pastoor. 

As for Mitchell, it would seem like a fit in Pittsburgh is perfect for him. The Steelers need someone to coach up the safeties now that Alexander is gone, and he would make perfect sense for that role. With the continuity on the defensive side of the ball, someone with a similar vision to that of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and secondary coach Grady Brown is essential.

With more openings on the staff than most offseasons in recent memory, Mike Tomlin and the rest of his staff will have to work to find a replacement. Mitchell played for Tomlin from 2014 to 2017 as one of the enforcers in the back end of the defense during that era.