Dick LeBeau, defensive genius and father of the Zone Blitz, has resigned today. The 77 year old defensive coordinator broke the news to his local newspaper The Urbana Daily Citizen.

“I’m resigning this position, not retiring,” said LeBeau. According to Gerry Dulac, he was asked to resign after meeting with Coach Tomlin for several days. “It was a lot of fun…it’s just time to make a break.”

LeBeau was arguably a scapegoat for a defense that struggled due to key injuries and growing pains from new talent. It’s long been assumed that linebackers coach Keith Butler take Dick LeBeau’s clipboard. The Steelers have blocked the assistant coach from interviewing outside the organization in the past, and it was rumored that he and Art Rooney II had a gentleman’s agreement for him to be LeBeau’s successor.

In LeBeau’s 12 seasons as the Steelers defensive coordinator, the Steelers won six division titles, four AFC championships and two Super Bowls and made the playoffs eight times.

“I had a great run in Pittsburgh. I’m grateful for all the things that have happened to me and thankful for all the support I had in Pittsburgh.”

-Dick LeBeau.