Career
Dick LeBeau was part of the 1957 ‘Ohio State University’ football team that won the national championship. He played as a halfback on offense, and cornerback on defense.
In 1959, LeBeau was drafted by the ‘Cleveland Browns’ for the ‘National Football League,’ but his name was removed from the team during the training period. He was later drafted by the ‘Detroit Lions.’ He remained with the ‘Lions’ for 14 consecutive seasons. LeBeau is considered as one of the greatest defensive backs to have played for the team.
He played 185 matches for the ‘Detroit Lions.’ He recorded 62 interceptions for 762 yards, and 3 touchdowns. During his playing career, LeBeau was selected for ‘Pro Bowl’ for three consecutive years. He also earned the ‘All-Pro Second Team’ honor thrice. His best season as a player was 1970, where he recorded 9 interceptions for 96 yards. After the 1972 season, LeBeau retired as a player.
Following his retirement as a player, LeBeau started his career as a football coach. He started by serving as a special teams coach for the ‘Philadelphia Eagles,’ where he worked under coach Mike McCormack. LeBeau worked with the ‘Philadelphia Eagles’ for three seasons. In 1976, LeBeau coached the secondary team for the ‘Green Bay Packers.’
In 1980, he was appointed as the secondary coach for the ‘Cincinnati Bengals.’ In 1984, he was promoted as the defensive coordinator of the team. In his first season as the defensive coordinator, the team witnessed a drop in their defense rankings. In 1990 and 1991, the defense ranking of the ‘Bengals’ went further down, and the team changed their defensive coordinator.
In 1992, Dick LeBeau was hired as the secondary coach for the ‘Pittsburgh Steelers.’ In 1995, he was promoted as the defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the team’s defense ranked third in the league. They were selected for ‘Super Bowl’ in 1995.
In 1997, Dick LeBeau returned to the ‘Cincinnati Bengals’ as their defensive coordinator. At the time of his appointment, the team’s defense was ranked at 25. In the first year after his return, it dropped to 28th position. In 1999, LeBeau popularized the defensive technique of ‘zone blitz,’ thereby improving the defense ranking of the ‘Cincinnati Bengals.’
In 2000, LeBeau was appointed as the interim head coach for the ‘Cincinnati Bengals.’ During the next season, he was appointed as the permanent head coach. Despite his defensive coaching efforts, the team gave a dismal performance. After the 2002 season, he was removed as the head coach.
Following his exit from the ‘Cincinnati Bengals,’ LeBeau was appointed as the assistant head coach for the ‘Buffalo Bills.’ In 2004, he returned to the ‘Pittsburgh Steelers,’ as their defensive coordinator. He remained in the position until 2014. Under the leadership of LeBeau, the team made three appearances in ‘Super Bowl’ matches, out of which they won two.
In 2008, Dick LeBeau was named as the ‘Coordinator of the Year,’ by the sports news website ‘Sporting News.’
He was inducted to the 2010 class of the ‘Pro Football Hall of Fame.’
In 2015, LeBeau resigned from the ‘Pittsburgh Steelers.’
After his resignation from the ‘Pittsburgh Steelers,’ LeBeau was hired by the ‘Tennessee Titans.’ In January 2016, he was officially named as the assistant head coach/ defensive coordinator for the team. In January 2018, Mike Mularkey, who was the head coach of ‘Tennessee Titans,’ resigned from his position, and Mike Vrabel was appointed as the new head coach. Although LeBeau was open to working under Vrabel, he was not appointed in the new coaching staff under Vrabel. LeBeau is currently leading a retired life.
Family & Personal Life
Dick LeBeau has married twice. Phyllis Geer LeBeau was his first wife. The couple hase four children: Richard Jr., Linda, Lori, and Fe. Phyllis passed away in 2002.
In 1973, LeBeau married Nancy, with whom he has a son, Brandon Grant LeBeau.
Apart from football, LeBeau is interested in music, golf, and dancing. He is known for keeping a cool temperament while coaching. He recites the poem, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas,’ to his players before every Christmas. In 2019, he was inducted into the ‘Buckeye Boys State Hall of Fame.’
