PITTSBURGH -- Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky became the second assistant coach fired by coach Mike Tomlin in the last two days.
Ligashesky lost his job Thursday following a poor season by the Steelers' kick-coverage units. They allowed four kickoff-return touchdowns, matching the 1998 Minnesota Vikings for the most permitted by an NFL team since 1994. The Steelers ranked 30th in kickoff coverage and 24th in punt-return coverage.
Ligashesky, a former Pitt assistant, joins offensive line coach Larry Zierlein in being fired since the Steelers (9-7) failed to make the playoffs one season after winning the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson also decided to retire.
Until this week, Tomlin had made no changes to his coaching staff since it was assembled in 2007.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
