Steelers Long Snapper Excited About New ST Coordinator Danny Crossman
It’s a new era in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ new head coach, Mike McCarthy, has finalized his coaching staff. He named Danny Crossman as the team’s special teams coordinator. One of the Steelers’ special teams stars has already endorsed the hire. Long snapper Christian Kuntz spoke about Crossman on the February 12th episode of his podcast, The Christian Kuntz Podcast. He said, “Danny Crossman, I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, but he’s a solidified veteran coach. He’s been around for 20-plus years in the league, so it’s gonna be so crazy. I’m excited.” He added, “Change isn’t always bad.”
His coaching career began at the college level in 1993 as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s defensive backs coach and special teams coach. He worked at Western Kentucky University as the defensive backs coach from 1994 to 1995 and later became the outside linebackers coach in 1996. From 1997 to 1998, he served as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Central Florida. He then worked as defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1999 to 2000 and returned in 2001 as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. His final collegiate role came in 2002 as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Michigan State University.
Crossman’s NFL career began in 2003 as a special teams assistant with the Carolina Panthers. He was promoted to their special teams coach in 2005 and their special teams coordinator in 2007. During Crossman’s time with the Panthers, the team made three playoff appearances, won the NFC South division twice, and won the NFC Championship once. They won the NFC Championship in 2003. He later served as special teams coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2010 to 2012 and for the Buffalo Bills from 2013 to 2018. His most recent role as special teams coordinator was for the Miami Dolphins from 2019 until 2024. Crossman helped the Dolphins post winning seasons in four consecutive years from 2020 until 2023. Prior to that, the last time the Dolphins had four consecutive winning seasons was from 1997 until 2003.
There is also a strong Pittsburgh connection in his background. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and played for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning letters from 1987 to 1989. He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications. That familiarity with the city and its football culture could ease his transition as he steps into a key role on the Steelers’ new coaching staff.
