James
Daniel begins his
fifth season with Pittsburgh after remaining with the team following Mike
Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.
Named the Steelers tight ends coach Jan. 24, 2004,
Daniel, 55, spent the previous seven seasons (1997-2003) with the Atlanta
Falcons, mostly as the Falcons’ tight ends coach except for one year (2000) when
he coached the offensive line.
In 2007, Daniel groomed a young group of tight ends that
finished the season with 11 TDs, which is the most combined TDs of any Steelers
tight end corps.
During his tenure atAtlanta, Daniel was instrumental in the
development of Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, who set a team receptions mark
for tight ends in 2002 and 2003 with 44 and 36,
respectively.
He began his NFL coaching career as the tight ends coach
of the New York Giants from 1993-96. However, Daniel’s first experience at the
pro level occurred through the NFL’s Fellowship Program in 1988 with the New
Orleans Saints and in 1992 with the Denver Broncos and Head Coach Dan Reeves. He
served under Reeves for his first 11 years in the NFL.
Daniel began his coaching career in the college ranks as
the offensive line coach at Auburn (1981-92) for Head Coach Pat Dye. During
Daniel’s 12 years at Auburn, the Tigers appeared in nine postseason bowl games,
four of his linemen earned All-America honors and several were selected
All-Southeastern Conference.
Prior to Auburn, Daniel
coached for seven years at Enterprise (Ala.) High School from
1974-80, during which 11 of his offensive linemen earned college
scholarships.
As a collegian, Daniel was a three-year starter and
four-year letterwinner at Alabama State from 1970-73.
Daniel, born
Jan. 17, 1953, is
married (Myrtis) with no children.
