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Keith Butler enters his sixth year on the Steelers’ coaching staff after joining the staff prior to the 2003 season. He remained on staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

Butler and Tomlin previously worked together at Memphis in 1996, where Butler was the linebackers/defensive ends/special teams coach and Tomlin served as the Tigers defensive backs coach.

Butler was named the Steelers’ linebackers coach Jan. 28, 2003, after serving the previous four seasons in a similar capacity with the Cleveland Browns (1999-02).

Butler has been instrumental in the development of the Steelers’ highly regarded linebacking corps. The unit includes two Pro Bowl players, James Farrior and James Harrison. Under Butler’s tutelage, Farrior has led the Steelers’ defense in tackles for the past two seasons. Butler has also helped groom one of the team’s defensive surprises of 2007 in Harrison, who was elected as a Pro Bowl starter after the 2007 season. Harrison was originally a rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2000 that re-signed with the team just before training camp in 2004 after a year’s absence.

In 2006, Butler’s linebacking crew helped the Steelers rank second in the AFC and third in the NFL in rushing defense. The unit allowed just 88.3 rushing yards per game and helped the defense to not allow a 100-yard rusher the entire season.

In 2005, Butler’s linebackers helped the Steelers lead the AFC and rank fourth in the NFL in total defense. The sack tandem of Joey Porter (10.5) and Clark Haggans (9.0) ranked as the best for a linebacker duo in the entire NFL.

Prior to joining the Browns’ staff, Butler spent nine years coaching in the college ranks, beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Memphis, where he coached linebackers from 1990-97 and also coached defensive ends and special teams (1995-97). He then served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arkansas State in 1998.

Butler, 51, was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft and played linebacker for 10 seasons (1978-87) with Seattle. He started 132-of-146 games in his career and still ranks second on the club’s all-time tackles list with 813.

A three-year starter at inside linebacker for Memphis, Butler led the school in tackles his junior and senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 384 tackles and seven interceptions. He was named a 1977 Associated Press All-American and played in the 1977 Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star Game.

Butler was born May 16, 1956, in Anniston, Ala. He and his wife Janet have three sons—Blake (25), Brandon (23) and Brett (21).