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Steelers add former NFL cornerback as player engagement coordinator

Mike Tomlin made an addition to his staff on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that Terry Cousin has joined the organization as its player engagement coordinator.

Cousin, who played cornerback for 12 seasons in the NFL, will work with players on life skills and help with their transition after football.

He served in similar roles with the Chicago Bears in 2014 and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012-13.

Cousin replaces Ray Jackson, who took a job earlier this year as the Denver Broncos’ director of player development.

Cousin, 40, made the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played in 172 career games for the Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.

It remains to be seen whether Tomlin will hire a defensive coach to round out his staff.

The Steelers might have an opening for a defensive assistant after Joey Porter and Jerry Olsavsky were each promoted to co-linebackers coaches.

Tomlin, however, said last month at the NFL owners meetings that he is happy with his staff and might not add any more assistants.

In other Steelers news:

  • The team did not host any NFL draft prospects on Wednesday. The Steelers had been busy meeting with college players at team headquarters before taking a mid-week break. Teams are allowed to host 30 out-of-area prospects in advance of the draft.

  • John Norwig, who has long been a key behind-the-scenes figure for the Steelers, will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Hall of Fame in June. Norwig is entering his 25th season as the Steelers’ head athletic trainer. He was honored earlier this year as the Fain-Cain Memorial Award winner, which goes to the NFL’s outstanding athletic trainer of the year.