BREAKING NEWS: Dermontti Dawson Returns to Pittsburgh Steelers as Assistant Coach in Pursuit of AFC North Title…………..
Pittsburgh, PA — June 29, 2025
In a surprising and widely celebrated move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer and former All-Pro center Dermontti Dawson will be joining the team as an assistant coach for the 2025 NFL season. Dawson, a Steelers legend who anchored the offensive line for over a decade, returns to the franchise in a leadership role aimed at strengthening the team’s offensive front and mentoring young linemen as they make a push for the AFC North crown.
Dawson, 60, spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Steelers from 1988 to 2000 and was widely regarded as one of the most athletic and technically sound centers to ever play the game. Known for his intelligence, mobility, and leadership, Dawson redefined the center position and earned seven Pro Bowl selections and six All-Pro honors. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed enthusiasm about Dawson’s return in a press conference on Saturday morning.
> “We are beyond thrilled to welcome Dermontti Dawson back to the Steelers organization,” Tomlin said. “He’s not just one of the greatest to ever wear the black and gold, he’s a teacher, a motivator, and someone who understands what it means to be a Steeler. His insight, discipline, and technical expertise will be invaluable to our offensive line and the entire team.”
Dawson is expected to work closely with offensive line coach Pat Meyer, focusing on developing the Steelers’ young and evolving offensive line unit. His primary role will be mentoring second-year center Zach Frazier, the team’s 2024 second-round pick out of West Virginia, who is expected to take over the starting job this season.
In a brief statement issued by the team, Dawson shared his excitement for the opportunity to contribute again to a franchise he holds close to his heart.
> “Pittsburgh has always been home for me,” Dawson said. “To return to the Steelers and help this team chase another championship is an honor. I believe in what Coach Tomlin and the front office are building here. I’m here to pass on what I’ve learned and help these young men become the best versions of themselves — both on and off the field.”
The timing of Dawson’s return could not be more strategic. The Steelers have been aggressively rebuilding and retooling their roster over the last two offseasons, adding new weapons on offense, including quarterback Russell Wilson and rookie phenom wide receiver Keon Coleman. With the AFC North shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in football — featuring Joe Burrow’s Bengals, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, and Deshaun Watson’s Browns — Pittsburgh is clearly all-in on making a serious playoff run in 2025.
Team general manager Omar Khan, who has overseen a series of bold personnel moves since taking over in 2022, described the hiring of Dawson as “a culture-setting decision.”
> “This is more than just Xs and Os,” Khan said. “Dermontti embodies what it means to be a Steeler — toughness, discipline, and a relentless commitment to excellence. That’s the kind of leadership you can’t measure on a stat sheet but makes all the difference on Sundays.”
Reactions across the NFL and from former teammates have been overwhelmingly positive. Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, under whom Dawson played the majority of his career, called the move “brilliant.”
> “Nobody understands the Steelers’ way better than Dermontti,” Cowher said on CBS Sports. “He’s a quiet leader, but when he speaks, people listen. That offensive line room is going to benefit tremendously from having him in there.”
Fans, too, are buzzing with excitement. Social media was flooded with messages of support and nostalgia, as longtime Steelers supporters reminisced about Dawson’s dominance in the 1990s and voiced optimism about the team’s direction.
With training camp just weeks away, Dawson’s immediate focus will be on evaluating the line’s fundamentals, cohesion, and protection schemes, particularly as the Steelers look to protect Wilson and establish a dominant ground game behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
The Steelers open their preseason on August 9 against the New York Giants and kick off the regular season on September 8 in a highly anticipated home game against the Baltimore Ravens — a matchup that could immediately shape the AFC North race.
One thing is clear: with Dermontti Dawson back on the sideline, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not just chasing wins — they’re chasing greatness.
