Dick LeBeau to be named Titans assistant head coach

Legendary defensive coach Dick LeBeau is expected to be named assistant head coach with the Titans, where he'll be in charge of the defense, a source familiar with the situation said Tuesday.

An official announcement is expected later in the week.

LeBeau, the architect of the defenses that helped the Steelers win two Super Bowl titles and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, parted ways with the Steelers last month.

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt reached out to LeBeau not long after, and more recently persuaded him to join the organization, the source said.

While LeBeau, 77, will be in charge of the defense, Ray Horton will remain on the staff as the team's defensive coordinator. Horton was hired by Whisenhunt last offseason.

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LeBeau had been with the Steelers for 16 seasons, where he was a part of three Super Bowl teams. He served as defensive coordinator from 1995-96 and from 2004-14.

Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator opposite LeBeau when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Horton was defensive backs coach under LeBeau for seven seasons in Pittsburgh. Prior to that, Horton spent time with LeBeau in Cincinnati as a player and a coach.

Pittsburgh allowed the fewest yards in the NFL in five of the 13 seasons in which LeBeau led the defense.

In 2014, the Steelers finished 18th in the NFL in both scoring defense (23.0 points allowed per game) and total defense (353.4 yards per game).

LeBeau's presence should provide a boost to a defense that ranked 27th in the NFL in yards allowed and 29th in points in 2014. The Titans, of course, will need to upgrade their personnel to make LeBeau's defense work.

LeBeau discussed a potential job with the Arizona Cardinals last month but decided on the opportunity with the Titans instead.

Wyatt also writes for The Tennessean.