Dick LeBeau played both ways on the 1957 NC team for Woody. He had a lengthy NFL career as a CB for the Lions, setting an NFL record for consecutive games by a CB (171). His 62 careeer interceptions ties him for 7th place in NFL history entering the 2006 season.
He was head coach for the Bengals for 2000-2002, and won a Super Bowl ring as the defensive coordinator for the Steelers.
He is given credit for inventing the zone blitz.
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Dick LeBeau
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Richard "Dick" LeBeau (born
September 9,
1937 in
London, Ohio) is a former
football player and is presently the
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator.
LeBeau attended the
Ohio State University, playing for famed coach
Woody Hayes, and was on the
1957 national championship team, playing at cornerback and halfback. Also in 1957, playing both sides of the ball, he scored two touchdowns as Ohio State came back to beat
Michigan 31-14.
He was initially drafted in the fifth round in
1959 by the
Cleveland Browns but was cut from their team, and was signed as a rookie
free agent by the
Detroit Lions. He spent his entire 14 year NFL career with them as a defensive back, teamed during the early part of that run with
"Night Train" Lane and
Yale Lary, and later with
Lem Barney. He was a
Pro Bowl selection in
1965 through
1967. He was a leading interceptor, with 62 career interceptions for 762 return yards and 3 touchdowns, and holds the NFL record for consecutive game appearances for a cornerback with 171. He also recovered 9 fumbles, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Following his retirement as a player, he became an assistant coach for the following teams:
He was head coach of the
Cincinnati Bengals for three seasons, from
2000 through
2002.
As an assistant coach he is credited with inventing the "Fire Zone" or "zone blitz" defense, with sound pass coverage accompanying blitzes from unpredictable angles. His defenses typically employ 3-4 sets, with any of the 4 linebackers and frequently a defensive back among the blitzers, so the opposition is unsure how many people and who will rush the passer.
Although he is often considered a genius by current Pittsburgh fans, his short reign as Cincinnati Bengals head coach did not show his current prowess, as he lead the Bengals to a franchise-worst 2-14 record in 2002.
LeBeau can also be seen in the
1970 movie Too Late the Hero, where he played
Michael Caine's double in a scene.