The Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff will look a lot different in 2026 and while many will opine about the head coach or offensive and defensive coordinators, one of the team’s special teams aces has voiced his approval of the new special teams coordinator.
“Danny Crossman, I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, but he’s a solidified veteran coach,” long snapper Christian Kuntz said on the latest episode of his podcast. “He’s been around for twenty-plus years in the league, so, it’s gonna be so crazy. I’m excited.
“Change isn’t always bad.”
If there’s one word to sum up what Crossman brings to the Steelers, it’s experience. His coaching career began in 1993 and he has been a special teams coordinator in the NFL since 2003.
Crossman will have big shoes to fill, replacing Danny Smith, who had been Pittsburgh’s special teams coordinator since 2013. Kuntz previously expressed shock and eventually gratitude about Smith’s departure, crediting him with giving him him a chance in the NFL.
During Smith’s tenure in Pittsburgh, Kuntz made the rare transition from undrafted linebacker to starting long snapper.
Pittsburgh’s special teams is highlighted by kicker Chris Boswell and has excelled in recent seasons in blocking punts and coverage units. If there’s one area that Crossman can improve the unit most, it’s the return game. Pittsburgh’s last kickoff return for a touchdown remain’s JuJu Smith-Schuster’s 97-yard return in 2017 against the Cleveland Browns.
While Kuntz’s perspective on special teams is notable, he also sounded encouraged when talking about Pittsburgh’s new offensive and defensive coordinators, that being Brian Angelichio and Patrick Graham.
“Angelichio is a Pitt guy. He was a tight ends coach at Pitt for Dorin [Dickerson],” Kuntz said. “He was a tight end coach in Minnesota under Kevin O’Connell. DC Patrick Graham was in Vegas. Very notable DC.”
While Angelichio will have his first chance as an offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, Kuntz seems hopeful about the impact that veteran coaches Graham and Crossman can have on the Steelers. Both coaches have been around the block and will offer wisdom and experience as Pittsburgh embarks on a new era.
Recommended for you