Karl Dunbar’s time in Pittsburgh has come to an end, as the longtime defensive line coach is moving on following the Steelers’ hiring of Mike McCarthy as head coach.
Dunbar joined the Steelers in 2018, bringing with him a strong resume that included a stint under Nick Saban at Alabama. Over the past six seasons, he became a key figure in developing one of the NFL’s most consistently disruptive defensive fronts. His departure is part of what’s shaping up to be a sweeping overhaul of the Steelers' coaching staff under McCarthy.
And make no mistake-Dunbar’s impact in Pittsburgh was real. He played a major role in the development of several standout players, including Javon Hargrave, who blossomed into one of the league’s most coveted interior linemen after his time in black and gold.
T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward reached elite territory during Dunbar’s tenure, anchoring a defense that thrived on pressure and physicality.
More recently, Dunbar helped shape the early careers of Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Keeanu Benton-young players who’ve shown flashes of high-level potential.
That kind of résumé doesn’t go unnoticed around the league. While McCarthy is clearly looking to build a staff in his own image-a common move for new head coaches-it’s hard to imagine Dunbar being out of work for long. Coaches with a proven track record of player development, especially in the trenches, tend to land on their feet quickly.
The Steelers’ coaching exodus doesn’t stop with Dunbar. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is heading to Ohio State, while longtime special teams coordinator Danny Smith is taking on the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin has also drawn interest, recently interviewing with the Dallas Cowboys for a similar position.
All signs point to a major reset in Pittsburgh. With McCarthy now steering the ship, familiar faces are being replaced, and the organization is clearly entering a new chapter. But as the Steelers look forward, Dunbar’s contributions over the past six years remain a significant part of their recent defensive identity-one built on toughness, technique, and relentless pressure up front.