Another name has been added to the list of Steelers targets for their vacant defensive coordinator role. Joe Whitt, the passing game coordinator/secondary coach for the Cowboys, has become the third external candidate for the position, according to Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper. 
The team has recently asked to meet with Kris Richard, the Saints’ defensive back coach, to replace the now-retired Keith Butler. Prior to that, Giants DC Patrick Graham received an interview request from the Steelers as well.
Whitt is generating interest with multiple teams. Both the Seahawks and Ravens have put in requests to meet with the 43-year-old for their respective DC vacancies. The experienced DB coach has served on the staff of five different teams during his NFL coaching career, never holding a title higher than pass game coordinator. His role in helping the Cowboys’ defense become one of the league’s better units – rather than a liability, as it had been in recent years – has obviously earned him opportunities for a promotion either elsewhere, or perhaps in Dallas if DC Dan Quinn takes one of the many HC jobs he has interviewed for.
The Steelers still have secondary coach Teryl Austin as an option if they prefer to promote from within. While that is certainly a possibility at this point, the team is clearly doing its due diligence with regards to outside candidates.
I believe Dan Quinn is really the linchpin to all this. If someone tries to hire Quinn, I wonder if Jerry will (a) promote Quinn to HC to replace McCarthy and bump Whitt to DC … or (b) just hire Whitt as the replacement DC and let Quinn walk. If nobody comes in with a hard offer for Quinn, he likely stays put in Dallas and Whitt takes a DC job elsewhere.
God love him, Austin is not the answer.
I’m fine with any of the options they’ve looked at. Bottom line is that the D is unlikely to look drastically different as long as Tomlin is still around.
Scheme wasn’t the biggest issue last year on D. Injuries, lack of quality depth to overcome those injuries, and plain old effort & fundamentals (missed tackles) were the biggest issues, in that order.
Defense was good enough on paper last year to contend for a SB in today’s game. If they plug a few holes it still can be. The offense is what dragged the team down the last 2 years, and likely will again next year.