Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers have appointed Gerald Alexander as the team's defensive backs coach. Alexander returns to the Steelers after serving as their assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons, from 2022 to 2023. He then moved on to become the safeties coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024.

During his previous tenure with the Steelers, Alexander contributed to a secondary that achieved 36 interceptions over two years, ranking second in the league. In 2023, the defense limited opponents to an 84.7 passer rating, placing them tenth in the NFL.

In his first year with Pittsburgh, Alexander helped lead a secondary that tied for first place in NFL interceptions with 20 in 2022. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick excelled under his guidance, achieving a career-high and league-leading six interceptions and earning first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors.

Before joining the Steelers initially, Alexander was the defensive backs coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2021. His leadership saw the Dolphins' defensive backs tie for first in NFL interceptions with 18 in 2020. Cornerback Xavien Howard recorded ten interceptions and was named first-team Associated Press All-Pro.

Alexander began his coaching career at Arkansas State as an undergraduate assistant in 2013 and later served as a graduate assistant at Washington in 2014. He also coached at Indiana State (2015), Montana State (2016), and California (2017-19). During this period, he participated in NFL minority coaching internships with both the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While at Cal, Alexander coached All-Pac-12 defensive backs Ashtyn Davis and Camryn Bynum. Davis became a third-round pick by the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft, while Bynum was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. Cal's defense led Pac-12 and ranked second nationally with 21 interceptions in 2018.

As a player, Alexander spent five years in the NFL after being drafted by Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 draft. He played for several teams including Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets across his career totaling appearances in 44 games.

Gerald Alexander hails from Los Angeles and played college football at Boise State.