Steelers’ Brett Keisel: Age Not A Factor For 77-Year-Old Dick LeBeau

ByPatrick Schmidt|

Aug 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau looks on from the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has struggled in recent years and that has led some to question the effectiveness of 77-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and his job security

Dick LeBeau has been the defensive coordinator for the Steelers since 2004 in his second stint with the team and has enjoyed a highly-successful career as one of the best assistant coaches in the NFL, but at 77-years-old some have openly questioned if he still has what it takes to be an effective coordinator in the NFL.

More from NFL

Defensive end Brett Keisel has heard the criticism of the longtime NFL man who has been in the NFL since 1959 when he debuted as a Pro Bowl defensive back with the Detroit Lions and doesn’t wanna hear about him being too old to lead this defense.

In fact, Keisel welcomes any critics of LeBeau to come and tell him to his face.

Brett Keisel on people saying Dick LeBeau is getting too old to coach: "Anyone who thinks that should come say it to my face" #Steelers
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) October 23, 2014

The criticism is warranted — it is par for the course for an NFL coach — as the Steelers have an average defense with the 15th ranked total defense after Week 7, allowing 345 yards per game and rank 13th in points allowed per game with 23.1.

Further proof the Steelers defense is not what is once was under LeBeau is that they rank 23rd in sacks with only 10 for a franchise with a reputation for being one of the units at getting to the quarterback, and they have only four interceptions and five fumble recoveries for a total of nine turnovers in seven games.

Recent first round picks like Jarvis Jones has been injured and ineffective and last year’s first rounder Ryan Shazier has been hurt for much of the year as the Steelers rebuilding effort has been stalled. The biggest concern for the Steelers is they have yet to replace Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton who were stalwarts on the defensive line when they were competing for the Super Bowl on a yearly basis.

Whether LeBeau gets the chance to complete the rebuild and get this defense back to its once dominant ways remains to be seen, but he’s got the support of his players, especially Keisel.

For more college football coverage this weekend stay on FanSided.com to stay on top of the latest updates around the world of college football, including the latest scores, news, injury updates, videos and gif’s, so be sure to follow @FanSidedGIF on twitter so you don’t miss any of the jaw-dropping plays.

More from FanSided