LeBeau Says He’ll Be Back in 2009 as Defensive Coordinator

There were plenty of rumblings earlier in the week about defensive guru Dick LeBeau walking away after Super Bowl XLIII Sunday. That won’ happen, as the Post-Gazette is reporting that LeBeau has announced he will be back in 2009.

The report is LeBeau told his players in a team meeting he intends to be back in the 2009 season. The paper said that he told the players he would be back because the rumors continued all week, and he didn’t want the team to think he would make a decision without first telling them.

“I would never make any kind of decision without the guys in that room, like my son, knowing first,” LeBeau said. “The way they’re playing, they’re going to have to run me out of here.”

The 71-year-old has been in the NFL for the past 50 years, the last 36 as an assistant coach, head coach and coordinator. “He said, ‘I’m going to get this out of the way. I will be back next year,’ ” said cornerback Deshea Townsend.