Steelers hire Joey Porter to be defensive assistant

The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought back former outside linebacker Joey Porter in a coaching capacity to be a defensive assistant under Mike Tomlin.  Porter spent last season working as an assistant coach under Jim McElwain, working with linebackers at Colorado State while he worked to finish his degree.  He was an All-Conference defensive end in Fort Collins in 1998 and has donated $200,000 to the school for renovations.  One of the players he worked with was standout pass rusher Shaquil Barrett, who was one of the most productive defensive players in the country.

Porter was in Mobile for the Reese’s Senior Bowl representing Colorado State, which had both center Weston Richburg and tight end Crockett Gilmore, who came in late in the week as an injury replacement.  During practice on Tuesday, Porter spent much of the morning practice on the sideline talking with Tomlin.  A few weeks later, he is now being brought in on staff.

Naturally, the Steelers could be a landing spot for Barrett in the NFL, having a former coach there in house, who knows him.  When asked about Barrett, Porter thought he was only going to get better and was just starting to show what he could do as a player.