Steelers part ways with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, 2 other assistants

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t waste time shaking up their coaching staff after their sudden exit from the AFC playoffs.

The franchise announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and defensive backs coach Tom Bradley won’t have their contracts renewed for the 2021 season.

The announcement came one day after coach Mike Tomlin said he had not begun discussions regarding any turnover on his staff in the wake of the 48-37 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night.

“Change is a part of our business,” Tomlin said Wednesday in his year-end news conference. “I’ll acknowledge the possibility for that.”

Tomlin did say the discussions would be “happening rather soon.”

The Steelers also announced longtime tight ends coach James Daniel decided to retire.

The biggest decision was not to retain Fichtner, a member of Tomlin’s original coaching staff from 2007.

Fichtner, 57, completed his third season as the Steelers offensive coordinator and his first in that role solely. After serving as wide receivers coach for three years and quarterbacks coach from 2010-17, Fichtner held the dual role of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2018-19.

The Steelers hired one-time Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada last year to serve as quarterbacks coach so Fichtner could focus on running the offense.

The Steelers finished the season 12th in the NFL in scoring and 24th in yards. They were last in the league in rushing offense (84.4 yards per game). After scoring at least 24 points in every game in getting out to an 11-0 start, the offense sputtered down the stretch, averaging fewer than 20 points.

Fichtner built a strong relationship with Steelers franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who turns 39 in March and is not assured to return for what would be an 18th season.

In 2018, the Steelers offense was fourth in yards and tied for sixth in points. The next season, with Roethlisberger missing all but two starts, the Steelers plummeted to 30th in yards and No. 27 in points.

Fichtner and Tomlin worked on the Arkansas State staff together in the 1997-98 seasons.

“Personally, Randy and I have been in Pittsburgh since I hired him in 2007, but our relationship began well before that,” Tomlin said in a statement. “He has been a friend of mine for years and wish his family nothing but the best, and I am eternally grateful for our relationship both on and off the field.”

Sarrett, 41, spent the past two seasons as offensive line coach.

He had been with the Steelers since 2012, when he was hired as an offensive assistant. Sarrett became the assistant offensive line coach in 2018, and he was promoted to the position coach the next season when Mike Munchak left the Steelers to join the Denver Broncos.

Although Steelers quarterbacks were sacked an NFL-low 14 times this past season, the line was criticized for its run blocking and inability to create push up front despite the presence of three Pro Bowl players.

Bradley, 64, spent the past three seasons coaching the Steelers defensive backs, the last two working with Teryl Austin, who was hired in 2019 to serve as senior defensive assistant in charge of the secondary.

Bradley previously was a longtime defensive coach at Penn State, and he spent three seasons at UCLA before joining the Steelers.

“I want to thank all three of the coaches for their commitment and dedication to the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Tomlin said in his statement. “They have all played integral roles in our success, and I am appreciative of their efforts.”

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler, 64, also is on an expiring contract, and no decision was announced on his future. Although the Steelers led the NFL in sacks and allowed the third-fewest points and yards, the defense didn’t record a sack or turnover in the 48-37 playoff loss to the Browns.

Earlier Thursday, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick endorsed Butler for his work as defensive coordinator.

“Coach Butz is a great coach,” Fitzpatrick said. “He has a lot of experience, a lot of experience in the system. He’s been here a long time. Coach T puts a lot of trust in him, a lot of faith in him. We have a great defense. I have the utmost faith in his game plan and his overall execution of calling the plays and getting them to us.”

Daniel has been with the Steelers since 2004, spending 17 seasons working with the team’s tight ends. He also coached with the New York Giants (1993-96) and Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003).

“I wish James all the best in his retirement following a long, productive coaching career in the National Football League,” Tomlin said in a statement. “His experience provided our tight ends group and our coaching staff with invaluable lessons throughout his career. He has been a tremendous part of our staff from my first day, and I wish nothing but continued success in his retirement.”

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