National Football League

Steelers fire special teams coordinator Ligashesky

Published Jan. 7, 2010 8:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky has become the second assistant coach fired by coach Mike Tomlin in as many 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 Vikings for the most permitted by any 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 a 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.