Coaches

Jerry Olsavsky is in his second season as the defensive assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this position, Olsavsky assists in all areas of the defensive staff in their daily operations.

Olsavsky, a 10-year NFL veteran, spent seven seasons coaching linebackers for Youngstown State. Prior to coaching at Youngstown State, Olsavsky spent one year as an assistant strength coach at University of North Carolina, and he also coached at his alma mater Chaney High School in Youngstown and at Duquesne University.

Olsavsky, 43, was drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft and played linebacker with the team from 1989-97. He played in 108 games for the Steelers and made 227 tackles while also excelling on special teams throughout his career. Olsavsky battled back from a career threatening knee injury in 1993 to become a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. In 1995, he was the recipient of the Steelers’ Ed Block Courage Award for an outstanding on-field performance despite the obstacles he faced. Olsavsky finished his playing career in 1998 with the Baltimore Ravens.

Playing collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, Olsavsky was a first team Kodak All-American as a senior in 1988 making 129 tackles. He became the Panthers’ first defensive player since 1976 to record more than 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons. He had a team-high 127 tackles his sophomore year. He earned his degree in Information Science in 1990.

Olsavsky, born in Youngstown, Ohio, resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Rayme, and three children, Joseph (9), Emma (7) and Dominic (5).