Hines Ward, former Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver and Super Bowl 41 MVP, has secured a significant coaching role.
After his brief tenure as the head coach of the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2023, Ward has reentered the coaching arena.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Ward has inked a deal to serve as the new wide receivers coach at Arizona State, under the leadership of head coach Kenny Dillingham, who recently completed his first year in the role.
Ward, renowned for his 14-year career with the Steelers from 1998 to 2011, was instrumental in the team’s success. A four-time Pro Bowler, he played a pivotal role in the Steelers’ Super Bowl victories in 2005 and 2008, earning MVP honors in Super Bowl 41 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Following his retirement as a player, Ward embarked on a coaching journey. He rejoined the Steelers in 2017 as an offensive intern and later served as an offensive assistant for the New York Jets under head coach Adam Gase from 2019 to 2020.
Prior to his recent appointment at Arizona State, Ward spent the 2021 season as the WRs coach at Florida Atlantic University. His coaching experience also extends to his involvement with the now-defunct Alliance of American Football (AAF), where he held the position of Head of football development.
Ward’s legacy with the Steelers remains unparalleled, holding franchise records for receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), and receiving touchdowns (85). Although Antonio Brown was poised to challenge these records before his departure in the 2019 offseason, Ward’s remarkable achievements stand as a testament to his exceptional talent and longevity.
Even before the arrival of future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, Hines Ward showcased his elite skills, earning three of his four Pro Bowl selections. His enduring impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ receiving records underscores his status as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
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