The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have an interesting reunion on Sunday when special teams coordinator Danny Smith faces the Pittsburgh Steelers, an organization he spent 13 seasons helping build into one of the NFL's more productive special teams units.
Smith joined the Buccaneers in January after serving as Pittsburgh's special teams coordinator from 2013 through 2025 under Mike Tomlin. His arrival was part of Tampa Bay's effort to overhaul a unit that struggled with blocked kicks and kickoff coverage throughout the 2025 season.
During Smith's tenure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers blocked 21 kicks, tied for eighth-most in the NFL over that stretch. Pittsburgh also tied for the league lead with 17 blocked kicks over his final nine seasons, while going
that entire period without allowing a blocked punt. Those numbers reflect the kind of consistency Tampa Bay hopes to establish under its new coordinator.
The difference between the two organizations was particularly noticeable last season. Tampa Bay allowed five blocked kicks, including three field goals and two punts, while ranking 30th in kickoff return average allowed and opponent starting field position following kickoffs.
Meanwhile, Smith's Steelers ranked sixth in punt coverage, eighth in kickoff coverage, and fifth in opponent starting field position following kickoffs in 2025. Pittsburgh's opponents started at their own 29-yard line on average following kickoffs, demonstrating the importance Smith placed on field position.Smith didn't make the move to Tampa Bay alone. Former Steelers safety Miles Killebrew followed him after earning consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2023 and 2024, as well as first-team All-Pro honors in 2023. Killebrew's four career blocked punts and experience in Smith's system make him an important addition to a unit trying to establish a new identity.
The Buccaneers also hired Smith's nephew, Luke Smith, as assistant special teams coach after he worked on Pittsburgh's coaching staff in 2025. Together, those additions give Tampa Bay familiarity with the approach that produced results for the Steelers.
Sunday's matchup presents an unusual situation for Smith, who spent more than a decade preparing Pittsburgh's special teams for opponents and will now be doing the opposite. His knowledge of the organization could help Tampa Bay's preparation, but the Steelers also know his tendencies and have had time to adjust following his departure.For the Buccaneers, the significance goes beyond facing a former employer. Smith was hired to address problems that repeatedly hurt Tampa Bay in 2025, particularly in protection and kickoff coverage. Against Pittsburgh, the challenge will be demonstrating the same attention to detail and field-position discipline that made his units successful during his 13 seasons with the Steelers.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs coordinator Danny Smith prepares to face former Steelers team
