Former Steelers Linebacker Lands First NFL Coaching Job

Sean Spence joins Los Angeles Chargers as inside linebackers coach

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Sean Spence, has been hired by the Los Angeles Chargers to be their new inside linebackers coach. Spence was drafted by the Steelers in 2012 and played for them, the Tennessee Titans, and the Indianapolis Colts before returning to the Steelers to end his playing career. He started his coaching career at Western Michigan University before earning his first NFL coaching job with the Chargers.

Why it matters

This move represents an important career milestone for Sean Spence, who is transitioning from a player to a coach in the NFL. It also highlights the Steelers' ability to develop talent, as one of their former draft picks has now earned a coaching position with another NFL team.

The details

Sean Spence was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He missed his first two seasons due to injury but made his NFL debut in 2014. Spence later played for the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and the Steelers again before retiring. He started his coaching career at Western Michigan University, working his way up from a special teams analyst to the linebackers coach and then the defensive ends coach/pass rush specialist. This experience has now led to Spence's first NFL coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers as their inside linebackers coach.

  • Spence was drafted by the Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • He made his NFL debut with the Steelers in 2014 after missing his first two seasons due to injury.
  • Spence played for the Tennessee Titans in 2016, the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, and the Steelers again in 2017 to close out his playing career.
  • Spence started his coaching career as a special teams analyst for Western Michigan in 2023.
  • He was promoted to linebackers coach in 2024 and then defensive ends coach/pass rush specialist in 2025 at Western Michigan.

The players

Sean Spence

A former linebacker who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Steelers again before retiring and transitioning into coaching.

Los Angeles Chargers

An NFL team that has hired Sean Spence as their new inside linebackers coach, giving him his first NFL coaching job.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The NFL team that drafted Sean Spence and helped develop him as a player before he transitioned into coaching.

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The takeaway

Sean Spence's journey from Steelers player to Chargers coach demonstrates the value of developing talent and providing opportunities for former players to transition into coaching roles. This move highlights the Steelers' ability to cultivate talent and the NFL's willingness to bring in new coaching blood from its player ranks.