Steelers Reveal Coaching Addition

Even that has proven to have a hint of familiarity to it.

According to Cameron Wolfe, the Steelers updated their coaching staff with the hire of defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander.

Alexander spent the 2024 season as the Las Vegas Raiders safety coach. The two seasons prior, he had been an assistant defensive backs coach with Pittsburgh.

Alexander is a former second-round pick by the Detroit Lions. The safety played five seasons in the NFL between the Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.

He quickly made the leap to coaching, first as a student assistant with Arkansas State in 2013, then with Washington as a graduate assistant in 2014.

In 2015, he got his shot as a position coach, joining Indiana State for the 2015 season and Montana State a year later.

Alexander is generally viewed as a rising coach, as evidenced by his quick promotions. He spent three seasons as Cal’s defensive backs coach until his first NFL coaching gig, taking on the same role with the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and 2021.

Joining Tomlin’s squad for two seasons, it’s significant that a first-time head coach in Antonio Pierce poached him for Pittsburgh.

Alexander will take over for Grady Brown, who interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their defensive coordinator gig before Jeff Ulrbich landed the job.

He’ll be tasked with presiding over a unit that has adequate talent but seemed to struggle with communication breakdowns, especially as the season grew turbulent down the home stretch. 

With safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and corner Joey Porter Jr. headlining the unit, there’s reason to be optimistic about the direction of the defense in 2025.

Alexander’s hire is generally viewed as a strong one, but the cloud of continuity may earn him less goodwill than his resume deserves.