Pittsburgh Steelers Add Joey Porter As Defensive Assistant Coach

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made another addition to his coaching staff for the 2014 season Tuesday morning by bringing back a familiar face.

Joey Porter returns the Steelers as an Assistant Coach. (Photo Credit: NFL.com)

The Steelers announced that they have named Joey Porter as a defensive assistant coach.

"“We are excited about having Joey back with the Steelers’ family,” said Tomlin (via Steelers.com). “Joey spent a number of years with Pittsburgh as a player, and now he’s back to assist the coaching staff. We look forward to his efforts and contributions.”"

This will be Porter’s 14th season in the NFL, but his first as a coach of any kind in the league.

He was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft and started 171 of 188 career games, spending time with Pittsburgh (1999-2006), the Miami Dolphins (2007-09) and the Arizona Cardinals (2010-11).

Porter recorded 98 sacks, 721 tackles (552 solo), 25 forced fumbles, 12 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, three touchdowns and one safety in his NFL career. He recorded 60 sacks as a member of the Steelers, ranking fifth in franchise history.

Porter is expected to work with the club’s outside linebackers, Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest said. Porter assisted the Colorado State coaching staff in last season and now gets the opportunity to do so in the NFL.

Having a guy like Porter around could be good for young linebackers Jarvis Jones and Jason Worilds, if Worilds is re-signed by the team.