The Steelers filled one of the open positions on their coaching staff when they hired Alfredo Roberts as the new tight ends coach. Roberts replaces James Daniel, who retired after the 2020 season.
Roberts spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, including as their tight ends coach in 2020. Prior to that he was the Chargers running backs coach for three seasons (2017-19) where he coached Steelers' fullback Derek Watt.
Under his guidance as the running backs coach, Austin Ekeler had one of the best receiving seasons by a Chargers running back in team history in 2019 with 92 receptions for 993 yards and eight touchdowns.
Roberts, who has 17 years of coaching experience in the NFL, began his NFL coaching career at the tight ends coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-06). He went on to coach the tight ends for the Cleveland Browns (2007-08) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-11).
His next stop was with the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent four seasons (2012-15) and coached the first pair of tight ends in NFL history to each have eight-plus touchdowns when Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener did so in 2014.
Following his time with the Colts, Roberts spent one year instructing several offensive positions at Carmel High School in Indiana. He began his coaching career with Florida Atlantic, helping to recruit while the school launched their football program for their first season, and then coaching the tight ends for two seasons and the receivers for one.
Roberts also brings playing experience with him. He played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (1988-90) and three with the Dallas Cowboys (1991-93), where he was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams.
Roberts is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he graduated from the University of Miami and was a tight end on two National Championship teams.
