Steelers assistants Teryl Austin, Frisman Jackson invited to NFL coaching accelerator program
Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coaches Teryl Austin and Frisman Jackson are among 40 deemed worthy of consideration as future NFL head coaches who will take part in a spring accelerator program this weekend.
The league on Wednesday announced plans to host what it’s calling a “Coach Accelerator” during its spring league meeting in Minneapolis.
Austin, 58, is in his fifth season with the Steelers and second as its defensive coordinator. Jackson, 43, is entering his second season as wide receivers coach.
Austin, a native of Sharon who played at Pitt, is entering his 20th season as an NFL assistant — his seventh as a coordinator. Jackson is in his seventh season as an NFL wide receivers coach, following nine years as an assistant at the college level.
The accelerator program is intended to increase exposure between owners, executives and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships, the NFL said. It debuted last year, and a front-office version was staged in December.
“In the year since its inception, we’ve been encouraged by the positive response to the Accelerator from both club owners and participants,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to continuing to build on an incredible program that supports diverse talent.”
Austin long has been considered head coach material and, in the past, reportedly interviewed for several openings.
Among the others taking part this weekend are former NFL head coaches Anthony Lynn and Leslie Frazier, former Penn State running backs coach Charles London and former Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.
“It was a great experience to be a part of the first accelerator, and I’m excited to continue this journey,” London, the game coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Tennessee Titans, said in a statement. “I look forward to networking and growing my professional development.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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