The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to bulk up their coaching staff this offseason, and the outside linebacker room is getting some extra attention. After recently bringing in Shawn Howe from Montana State, the team is now adding C.J. Ah You, who most recently coached outside linebackers at Texas Tech, to a similar role.
While the exact breakdown of responsibilities between Howe and Ah You hasn't been clarified yet, both are expected to be hands-on with the Steelers' edge rushers - a position group that’s been a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s defensive identity for decades. And with talent like T.J. Watt leading the charge, it’s clear the Steelers are investing in the coaching firepower to keep that edge unit elite.
Ah You brings a mix of NFL experience and a diverse coaching background to the table. After a five-year playing career in the league with the Buffalo Bills and St.
Louis Rams from 2007 to 2011, he transitioned into coaching in 2015. He got his start at his alma mater, Oklahoma, working in a special teams quality control role - a common launching pad for future position coaches.
From there, his resume only grew. He took over the defensive line at Vanderbilt, then made a stop in the XFL with the New York Guardians before joining USC as a quality control analyst in 2021. He’s spent the last two seasons at Texas Tech, sharpening his craft with the Red Raiders' outside linebackers.
For Pittsburgh, this hire continues a clear trend: build out a deep, specialized staff to maximize development and performance across the board. With Ah You’s mix of pro playing experience and a coaching journey that’s touched nearly every level of the game, the Steelers are adding another voice who understands both the grind and the nuance of the position.
The outside linebacker spot has long been a focal point in the Steelers’ defensive scheme - from the days of Joey Porter and James Harrison to the current dominance of T.J. Watt and the emergence of Alex Highsmith. With two new coaches now in the fold, Pittsburgh appears committed to keeping that tradition strong.
We'll keep tracking every move the Steelers make on the coaching front as this staff continues to take shape.