Dick LeBeau

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Richard "Dick" LeBeau (born September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio) is a former football player and is presently the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator.

LeBeau attended Ohio State University, playing for famed coach Woody Hayes, and was on the 1957 national championship team, playing at cornerback and halfback. Also in 1957, playing both sides of the ball, he scored two touchdowns as Ohio State came back to beat Michigan 31-14.

He was initially drafted in the fifth round in 1959 by the Cleveland Browns but was cut from their team, and was signed as a rookie free agent by the Detroit Lions. He spent his entire 14 year NFL career with them as a defensive back, teamed during the early part of that run with "Night Train" Lane and Yale Lary, and later with Lem Barney. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1965 through 1967. He was a leading interceptor, with 62 career interceptions for 762 return yards and 3 touchdowns, and holds the NFL record for consecutive game appearances for a cornerback with 171. He also recovered 9 fumbles, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Following his retirement as a player, he became an assistant coach for the following teams:

• Philadelphia Eagles (1973-1975)
• Green Bay Packers (1976-1979)
• Cincinnati Bengals (1980-1991), (1997-2002) - Won 1981 and 1988 AFC Championships and 3 AFC Central Division Championships (1981, 1988 and 1990)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-1996), (2004-present) - Won 4 AFC Central Division Championships (1992 and 1994-96), 2004 AFC North Division Championship, and Super Bowl XL
• Buffalo Bills (2003)

He was head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for three seasons, from 2000 through 2002.

As an assistant coach he is credited with inventing the "Fire Zone" or "zone blitz" defense, with sound pass coverage accompanying blitzes from unpredictable angles. His defenses typically employ 3-4 sets, with any of the 4 linebackers and frequently a defensive back among the blitzers, so the opposition is unsure how many people and who will rush the passer. Although he is often considered a genius by current Pittsburgh fans, his short reign as Cincinnati Bengals head coach did not show his current prowess, as he led the Bengals to a franchise-worst 2-14 record in 2002.

LeBeau can also be seen in the 1970 movie Too Late the Hero, where he played Michael Caine's double in a scene.

LeBeau is a member of the "Blue Ribbon Panel" that chooses the top Super Bowl teams for "America's Game" on the NFL Network.

Preceded by Dom Capers	Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinators 1995-1996	Succeeded by Jim Haslett
Preceded by Larry Peccatiello	Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinators 1997-1999	Succeeded by Mark Duffner
Preceded by Bruce Coslet	Cincinnati Bengals Head Coaches 2000–2002	Succeeded by Marvin Lewis
Preceded by Tim Lewis	Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinators 2004-current	Succeeded by current coordinator

Cincinnati Bengals Head Coaches
Brown • Johnson • Rice • Gregg • Wyche • Shula • Coslet • LeBeau • Lewis