Dick LeBeau, from a coaching perspective, was an exception to the rule.
But as they say, all good things must come to an end.
After a decade serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator, the architect of the zone blitz resigned his position earlier this month in the Steel City. Now there is widespread speculation LeBeau could join old friend Bruce Arians’ staff in some capacity here in Arizona.
At least one member of the Arizona Cardinals is already open to the idea of playing for the Hall-of-Famer who’s won multiple Super Bowls.
“I’m really intrigued just because the way [teammate] Larry Foote speaks about him,” Calais Campbell told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a phone interview Wednesday morning. “[Your] reputation goes before you do and he has an amazing reputation.”
After an 11-5 season LeBeau opted to leave his post but the 77-year-old was adamant he will continue coaching next season for some organization in some capacity. LeBeau is known league-wide as one of the more well-respected coaches and leaders in the NFL.
“Larry Foote has had nothing but good things to say about Dick LeBeau ever since I’ve known him,” Campbell told Cesmat before his Pro Bowl practice. “He’s a big Dick LeBeau fan.”
The former Ohio State Buckeye who played under legendary head coach Woody Hayes has also helped brand a popular scheme.
“He’s been around the game a long time and he’s really the pioneer of the 3-4 [defense],” he said. “I’d love to pick his brain and see how it all came about. See what I can learn from him. It really would be nice have him around.”
Various national reports say the Cardinals and LeBeau were close to agreeing on a deal to be the team’s new linebackers coach but as of now, nothing has been finalized.
