Steelers Tap Veteran Coach Adam Henry to Lead Wide Receivers Room
The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in a seasoned voice to guide their wide receiver corps, hiring longtime NFL assistant Adam Henry as their new wide receivers coach. It's a move that adds experience, player development chops, and a deep résumé of working with some of the league’s most dynamic pass-catchers.
Henry arrives in Pittsburgh after spending the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he helped shape a receiving unit that consistently ranked among the AFC’s most productive. While Stefon Diggs was the headliner, Henry’s influence extended beyond the stars - helping younger receivers adjust to the speed and complexity of the pro game.
This won’t be Henry’s first rodeo when it comes to working with high-level talent. His coaching résumé reads like a highlight reel of elite wideouts.
He’s coached seven Pro Bowlers over the years - including Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, CeeDee Lamb, Anquan Boldin, Amari Cooper, Diggs, and Zach Miller. Whether it was at LSU, where he served as both wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, or in the NFL with teams like the Giants, Browns, and Cowboys, Henry has earned a reputation for maximizing receiver talent and building strong rapport with his players.
His connection with Beckham and Landry is especially notable. Henry coached both at LSU and then reunited with them in the NFL - Beckham with the Giants and Landry with the Browns. That kind of continuity is rare and speaks volumes about the trust top-tier receivers have in his coaching methods.
Before his stint in Buffalo, Henry spent time in Dallas (2020-2021) under Mike McCarthy, where he helped develop CeeDee Lamb into one of the league’s rising stars. He then took a detour to the college ranks, joining Indiana University as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, though that partnership lasted just one season before he returned to the NFL.
Henry’s coaching journey began at his alma mater, McNeese State, where he played wide receiver from 1990 to 1993. A standout in the Southland Conference, he still ranks in the top 10 in school history in receptions (93), yards (1,690), and touchdowns (16). He was inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 - a testament to both his playing ability and his continued impact on the game.
After a brief playing stint with the New Orleans Saints, Henry returned to McNeese to begin his coaching career. From 1997 to 2005, he served as the Cowboys’ wide receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 2006.
That opened the door to the NFL, where he joined the Raiders as an offensive quality control coach in 2007. He later coached tight ends in Oakland from 2009 to 2011, adding another layer to his offensive expertise.
Now 53, Henry brings nearly three decades of coaching experience to a Steelers team in transition. Following the resignation of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin earlier this month, Pittsburgh has been reshaping its coaching staff.
Former wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar were not retained, while other assistants have moved on - including special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who joined the Buccaneers, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who took a job at Ohio State. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is reportedly in the mix for a role with the Washington Commanders.
The Steelers’ front office, led by president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan, has made it clear they’re giving the next head coach a clean slate to build his own staff. In that context, Henry’s hiring isn’t just about filling a vacancy - it’s about setting the tone for the next era of Steelers football.
With a young, developing receiver group and uncertainty at quarterback, Pittsburgh needs a steady, experienced hand in the receivers room. Henry fits that bill.
He’s been through rebuilds, playoff pushes, and everything in between. And he’s done it while helping mold some of the best in the game.
For the Steelers, this is more than just a coaching hire - it’s an investment in the growth of their offensive identity.