Derius Swinton Ii Fired After 3 1/2 Months On Steelers Staff

Derius Swinton ii is out after just 3 1/2 months on the Steelers staff. Pittsburgh parted with its senior special teams coach on Friday for a violation of club policy, ending his run in the middle of organized team activities.

Swinton’s short Steelers run

Swinton had been the top assistant to special teams coordinator Danny Crossman, so the move removes a key voice from that room during a period when the Steelers are still sorting out Mike McCarthy’s first staff. The team did not identify the specific policy involved.

His departure lands early in a transition year. McCarthy is leading the Steelers into a new era after Mike Tomlin stepped down following 19 seasons, and the staff change arrives while the team is also working to have Aaron Rodgers return for one more year under center.

Swinton’s path to Pittsburgh

Swinton’s coaching career began in 2009. Before reaching Pittsburgh, he spent three years as an assistant coach with the Raiders and finished the 2025 season as their interim special teams coordinator.

He also previously spent time with the 49ers and Chargers, and his background includes playing at Hampton University. For Pittsburgh, the change means a special teams unit that entered OTAs with a new assistant now has to adjust again before the summer work continues.