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Latest report reveals why Steelers abruptly fired an assistant coach
Derius Swinton. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Latest report reveals why Steelers abruptly fired an assistant coach

Hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers fired a recently hired coach from Mike McCarthy's staff, the reasoning for the surprising and abrupt dismissal has come out. 

On Friday, the Steelers relieved special teams assistant Derius Swinton of his duties because of a violation of team policy, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Derius Swinton's firing is reportedly due to "workplace misconduct" 

While the franchise declined to go into detail or offer more information at this time, ESPN has also learned through sources that the violation is due to what's being labeled as "workplace misconduct." It is unclear which type of misconduct Swinton may have been involved in. 

Swinton, who was initially hired on Feb. 5 to serve under new special teams coordinator Danny Crossman, declined ESPN's request for comment. But the firing in the middle of OTAs suggested an infraction beyond football was at play.

Derius Swinton was set to serve under Steelers' new special teams coordinator Danny Crossman 

Crossman took over for the popular Danny Smith following his departure to work in the same capacity for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith had held his position with the Steelers under Mike Tomlin from 2013-25, exiting soon after Tomlin's decision to step down as head coach. 

Prior to his brief stint in Pittsburgh, Swinton spent three years with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2023 to 2025 and was the interim special teams coordinator during a stretch last season. 

He's also worked the Los Angeles Chargers (2021), the Arizona Cardinals (2019-20)Detroit Lions (2018)Chicago Bears (2015, 2017)San Francisco 49ers (2016)Denver Broncos (2013-14)Kansas City Chiefs (2012), the then-St. Louis Rams (2009-11) and the Tennessee Titans (2007-08). 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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