The Pittsburgh Steelers were in the mix to bring hometown product Bubba Ventrone back to the city, but that reunion won’t be happening. Instead, Ventrone is heading west to join Sean McVay’s staff as the Rams’ new special teams coordinator, a move that adds another sharp football mind to Los Angeles and leaves the Steelers still searching for a replacement after Danny Smith’s departure to Tampa Bay.
Ventrone, a Pittsburgh native and Chartiers Valley alum, has deep roots in the game. After a standout college career as a defensive back at Villanova, he carved out an impressive NFL journey the hard way-undrafted in 2005 but sticking around the league for over a decade. He logged time with the Patriots, Jets, and 49ers, but it was his stint with the Browns from 2009 to 2012 that arguably left the biggest mark.
Once his playing days wrapped, Ventrone transitioned into coaching, starting under Bill Belichick in New England as a special teams assistant. That’s not a bad place to learn the ropes.
His coaching career really took off with the Colts, where from 2018 to 2022 he helped build one of the league’s most consistently effective special teams units. That success earned him a shot with the Browns in 2023, but the timing wasn’t ideal.
Cleveland’s special teams struggled mightily this past season, ranking near the bottom of the league by most metrics.
Still, at 43, Ventrone remains one of the more intriguing young coaches in the league. He’s known for his intensity, attention to detail, and ability to connect with players-traits that should serve him well in L.A. under McVay’s forward-thinking regime.
As for the Steelers, the search continues. With Danny Smith now in Tampa, Pittsburgh is in the market for a new voice to lead their special teams unit.
Missing out on Ventrone stings a bit, especially considering his ties to the city, but there are still quality candidates out there. The key will be finding someone who can maintain the unit’s edge and bring fresh energy to a team that prides itself on doing the little things right.
Ventrone may be headed to the West Coast, but his coaching journey is one worth watching-especially if he can recapture the magic he brought to Indianapolis.