Dick LeBeau says he will finish his Hall of Fame career in Tennessee.
The 77-year-old, who has spent 56 of those years in the NFL as a player or coach, contemplated retirement earlier this year but just wasn't ready to walk away.
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"After so many years, you attain a certain level of knowledge from experience, and amassed this over a tremendous amount of years of working on the job. If you don't continue to teach it, and if don't continue to administer what you have learned, then who benefits from it? No one,'' LeBeau told the Tennessean. "And if you are going to benefit you have to work and expose to other people your experience. If there is anything I have it's a lot of years of experience. And I am looking forward to sharing it and teaching it down here in Tennessee."
LeBeau played halfback and cornerback at Ohio State and was part of the Buckeyes' 1957 national champtionship team. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Browns in 1959 but was cut shortly after in training camp.
He later signed with the Lions as a rookie free agent and played defensive back for Detroit from 1959-72. During his career, he earned three consecutive Pro Bowl trips beginning in 1964.
LeBeau's 42-season coaching resume dates back to 1973 and includes stints with the Eagles, Packers, Bengals, Bills and Steelers. He was Cincinnati's head coach from 2000-02 but otherwise has been an assistant.
The veteran coach served as defensive coordinator for the Steelers in the 1995 and 1996 seasons before returning to the team in 2004. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, his defense ranked No. 1 in the league five times and in the top five 10 times. The Steelers also won six division titles, four AFC Championships and two Super Bowls during that time.
"I love doing it, I love teaching or I wouldn't still be doing it,'' he said. "And there will be plenty of time not doing it, because once you quit, it is forever. I am fortunate I have an opportunity. A lot of people probably wouldn't want a fella of my age working for them. So I intend to give it my hardest and best shot."
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After serving 11 years with the Steelers, LeBeau resigned from his duties on Jan. 10. He later joined the Titans on Feb. 3 as assistant head coach in charge of the defense.
Last season, the Titans lost 14 of their last 15 games and finished a disappointing 2-14. Their defense ranked 27th overall and the team finished 29th in points allowed after surrendering 26 points or more in 10 of 16 contests and over 40 points on three occasions.
LeBeau quickly established a connection with the team after previously working with coach Ken Whisenhunt and defensive coordinator Ray Horton in Pittsburgh. He also coached with defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi and tight ends coach Mike Mularkey, among several others.
"I am committed to Tennessee for the rest of my career. I am not looking for another job,'' LeBeau said. "Coach Whisenhunt hired me, and I am grateful for the opportunity. And I am not looking to coach any place else.
"We'll just see how coach Whisenhunt thinks it's going as we go along. Hopefully it goes well."