Larry Foote
Lawrence Edward Foote Jr. (born June 12, 1980) is an American football coach and former professional linebacker who played 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowl championships, and currently serves as the run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[1][2] Born in Detroit, Michigan, Foote attended Pershing High School before playing college football at the University of Michigan from 1998 to 2001.[1] At Michigan, he appeared in 48 games as an inside linebacker, starting 28 contests and recording over 200 tackles.[3] As a senior in 2001, Foote tied a school record with 26 tackles for loss, led the Big Ten Conference in that category, and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.[4][5] Foote was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.[1] He spent the bulk of his 187-game career with the Steelers from 2002 to 2013 (appearing in 158 games), amassing career totals of 818 combined tackles, 25.0 sacks, and 4 interceptions.[1] Foote briefly played for his hometown Detroit Lions in 2009 and concluded his playing days with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014, where he recorded 2.0 sacks in 15 games and finished 7th in voting for the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year.[1] His most notable achievements include contributing to the Steelers' victories in Super Bowl XL following the 2005 season and Super Bowl XLIII after the 2008 season.[1] After retiring as a player, Foote transitioned to coaching in 2015 as an assistant linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals.[6] He was promoted to linebackers coach for the Cardinals from 2016 to 2018.[6] Joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, Foote served as outside linebackers coach through 2021, then as pass game coordinator and inside linebackers coach from 2022 to 2024.[2] In 2025, he entered his seventh season with the Buccaneers in his current role, having turned down an opportunity to interview further for the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator position earlier that year.[2][6]Early life and education
High school career
Larry Foote was born on June 12, 1980, in Detroit, Michigan.[1] Foote attended Pershing High School in Detroit, where he emerged as a standout athlete in football.[7] Playing as a linebacker, he earned all-state honors during his high school career from 1995 to 1997.[7] Foote also contributed on offense, showcasing versatility as a running back and helping Pershing secure back-to-back Detroit Public School League championships in 1996 and 1997.[7] Although the team did not advance to the state playoffs under the era's selective format, Pershing remained a dominant force locally with no more than three losses in any season during Foote's tenure.[7] Foote led Pershing in tackles throughout his high school years, establishing himself as a defensive leader and one of the top recruits in the state.[8] His performance drew attention from major college programs, culminating in a scholarship offer from the University of Michigan, which he accepted due to the program's prestige and its location in his home state.[8] This commitment marked a seamless transition to college football at Michigan, where he continued his development as a linebacker.[3]College career
Larry Foote enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1998, playing for the Wolverines football team through 2001.[9] As a true freshman in 1998, he quickly emerged as a contributor as an inside linebacker, appearing in 12 games and recording 17 total tackles (12 solo, 5 assisted), including 1 sack for a loss of 9 yards.[10] His early impact helped anchor a Michigan defense that finished the season 10-3 and tied for the Big Ten championship.[3] In his sophomore campaign of 1999, Foote continued to develop, starting more regularly and posting 29 tackles (20 unassisted, 9 assisted), 3 sacks for 20 yards lost, 7 tackles for loss totaling 27 yards, and 1 interception in 12 games.[11] Foote's performance contributed to Michigan's 10-2 season, which included a 9-2 regular season record, and their 35-34 overtime victory over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.[12] As a junior in 2000, he broke out with a team-high 84 tackles (54 solo, 30 assisted), 10 tackles for loss (24 yards), 1 sack, 2 interceptions for 41 yards, and 9 pass breakups across 12 games, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches.[13][14] Foote capped his college career in 2001 as a senior co-captain, leading the team with 82 tackles (59 solo, 23 assisted), 6 sacks for 42 yards, a school-record 26 tackles for loss (95 yards), and 7 quarterback hurries in 12 games.[15][4] His dominant season earned him first-team All-Big Ten recognition, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-American honors from Football News.[16] Over four years, Foote started 28 of 48 games, accumulating 212 total tackles, 11 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 44 tackles for loss, establishing himself as one of Michigan's premier linebackers.[5] Following his senior year, Foote entered the 2002 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (128th overall).[1]Professional playing career
Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)
Larry Foote was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan.[1] As a rookie in 2002, Foote played in 14 games with a limited role as a backup inside linebacker behind veterans such as Kendrell Bell and James Farrior, recording 30 combined tackles and no sacks while starting just three contests.[17] In 2003, his playing time remained minimal, with only six tackles across 16 games and no starts. Foote broke through in 2004, emerging as a key contributor on the Steelers' defense by starting all 16 regular-season games and registering 74 combined tackles along with three sacks and his first career interception. His performance helped anchor the linebacker corps during a season in which the Steelers finished 15-1 and advanced to the AFC Championship Game, where they fell to the New England Patriots 41-27. The 2005 season marked Foote's most productive year to that point, as he started all 16 games and tallied 102 combined tackles, three sacks, and a safety, earning recognition as a Pro Bowl alternate.[20] Foote played a pivotal role in Pittsburgh's postseason run, contributing five tackles in Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, as the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 to claim their fifth championship. From 2004 through 2008, Foote solidified his status as a consistent starter, appearing in 80 games with 80 starts and accumulating 406 combined tackles and 14.5 sacks overall during that span.[1] He remained an integral part of the defense that reached the 2008 AFC Championship Game, where the Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.[23] On May 4, 2009, the Steelers released Foote amid salary cap constraints and a reduced anticipated role following the team's shift toward younger players like Lawrence Timmons.[24]Detroit Lions
Foote signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent on May 6, 2009, agreeing to a one-year, $2.975 million contract shortly after his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.[25][26] The move allowed the Detroit native to join his hometown team, where he was expected to anchor the middle linebacker position amid a defensive rebuild.[27] In the 2009 season, Foote started 14 of the 16 games he appeared in, leading the team with 99 combined tackles and adding 2 sacks.[1] However, the Lions struggled under new head coach Jim Schwartz, who had replaced Rod Marinelli after the previous year's winless 0-16 campaign, finishing with a 2-14 record that extended the franchise's ongoing challenges.[28] Foote missed the final two games due to a foot injury, ending his streak of consecutive starts at 94.[29] The Lions' tenure marked a difficult chapter for Foote in a rebuilding franchise marked by instability, including the recent coaching transition and persistent defensive woes. Following the season, Foote elected not to re-sign with Detroit and returned to Pittsburgh, later stating he held no hard feelings toward his hometown team despite the frustrations of the year.[30][31]Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)
After spending two seasons with the Detroit Lions, Foote returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 15, 2010, signing a three-year contract worth $9.3 million to bolster the inside linebacker position with his experience as a rotational player and mentor to younger defenders.[32][33] In the 2010 regular season, Foote played all 16 games without starting, contributing 21 combined tackles and 1 sack while providing depth behind starters James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons.[34] His veteran presence helped stabilize the linebacker room during a 12-4 campaign that earned the Steelers a first-round playoff bye and advanced them to Super Bowl XLV, where they fell to the Green Bay Packers; Foote appeared in all three postseason games, logging 2 tackles. Foote's role expanded in 2011 amid injuries to key linebackers, leading him to start 5 of 15 games and record 47 tackles with 1.5 sacks as the team finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.[35] He re-signed with Pittsburgh on March 12, 2013, to a new three-year deal ahead of the 2013 season, continuing his contributions as a reliable veteran.[36] By 2012, Foote had secured the starting inside linebacker spot, playing all 16 games and leading the defense with 113 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles while excelling in run defense to anchor the unit during another 8-8 season.[37] His season-ending performance underscored his value as a leader and tackler in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme.[38] The 2013 season proved short for Foote, who started the opener against the Tennessee Titans but suffered a ruptured right biceps injury on the second defensive play, limiting him to 8 tackles in that lone appearance and sidelining him for the remainder of the year.[39]Arizona Cardinals
Foote was released by the Steelers on March 5, 2014.[40] He signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent on May 7, 2014, to a one-year contract worth $955,000.[41][42] In the 2014 season, Foote started all 15 games he played, recording 83 combined tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception while contributing to a Cardinals defense that helped the team finish 11-5 and reach the NFC Wild Card playoffs.[43] Foote did not appear in the Cardinals' playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers. Following the season, he retired from playing to pursue a coaching career.[44]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Larry Foote amassed 818 combined tackles, 25 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 9 fumble recoveries over 13 NFL regular seasons from 2002 to 2014, playing in 187 games and starting 134.[1] These totals underscore his role as a dependable inside linebacker, contributing significantly to run defense across multiple teams.[1] Foote's positional evolution began as a backup and rotational linebacker early in his career, transitioning to a full-time starter at inside linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2008, then inside linebacker during his 2009 stint with the Detroit Lions, and later inside linebacker in his final seasons.[1] His tackle efficiency averaged approximately 4.4 combined tackles per game, a solid mark for inside linebackers in an era when starters often ranged from 4 to 6 tackles per game amid increasing emphasis on versatile defenses.[1] Peak performances included 113 tackles in 2012—his career high—and consistent 80-plus tackle seasons in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2014, reflecting trends of heightened production when inserted as a primary run-stopper.[1] The following table details Foote's year-by-year regular season statistics:| Year | Team | G | GS | Comb | Sk | Int | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | PIT | 14 | 3 | 30 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | PIT | 16 | 0 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 70 | 3.0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 102 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 91 | 4.0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 85 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 63 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | DET | 14 | 14 | 99 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | PIT | 16 | 0 | 21 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | PIT | 15 | 5 | 47 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 113 | 4.0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | PIT | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | ARI | 15 | 15 | 83 | 2.0 | 1 | 1 |
Playoffs
Larry Foote appeared in 17 NFL playoff games over his career, accumulating 60 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions while starting 11 contests.[45] His postseason contributions were particularly notable during the Pittsburgh Steelers' successful runs to Super Bowl victories in 2006 and 2009, where he provided steady linebacker play amid intense defensive efforts. Foote's playoff tenure also included appearances with the Steelers in additional Super Bowl campaigns and a single game with the Arizona Cardinals. In the Steelers' path to Super Bowl XL following the 2005 season, Foote started all four games, recording 24 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 interception. He registered 5 tackles in the 21–10 Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks.[45] During the 2008 season's run to Super Bowl XLIII, Foote started three games, tallying 8 combined tackles and 1 interception, including 2 tackles in the 27–23 Super Bowl win against the Arizona Cardinals.[45] He also participated in the Steelers' 2010 Super Bowl XLV campaign, appearing in three games with 2 tackles, though limited by injury.[45] Key performances highlighted Foote's reliability in high-pressure situations, such as his 11 combined tackles (7 solo) in the 2002 AFC Divisional playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans.[45] In the 2005 AFC Divisional upset over the Indianapolis Colts, he contributed 5 tackles (3 solo) to the defense that held Peyton Manning to 17 completions.[45] Foote's sole postseason sack came in the 2005 Wild Card win against the Cincinnati Bengals, and he intercepted Jake Plummer in the 2005 AFC Championship victory over the Denver Broncos, setting up a Steelers touchdown.[45] Later, with the Cardinals, Foote started and recorded 4 tackles in their 2015 Wild Card playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.[45] Foote's overall impact in the playoffs underscored his role as a dependable rotational and starting linebacker, helping anchor defenses that advanced to multiple Super Bowls and emphasizing team-oriented play over individual dominance.[45][46]| Date | Round | Opponent | Result | Comb Tackles | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-01-05 | Wild Card | CLE | W 36–33 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2003-01-11 | Divisional | @ TEN | L 31–34 | 11 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2005-01-15 | Divisional | NYJ | W 20–17 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2005-01-23 | Conference | NWE | L 27–41 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2006-01-08 | Wild Card | @ CIN | W 31–17 | 7 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 2006-01-15 | Divisional | @ IND | W 21–18 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2006-01-22 | Conference | @ DEN | W 34–17 | 7 | 0.0 | 1 |
| 2006-02-05 | Super Bowl XL | SEA | W 21–10 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2008-01-05 | Wild Card | JAX | L 29–31 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2009-01-11 | Divisional | SDG | W 35–24 | 4 | 0.0 | 1 |
| 2009-01-18 | Conference | BAL | W 23–14 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2009-02-01 | Super Bowl XLIII | ARI | W 27–23 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2011-01-15 | Divisional | BAL | W 31–24 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2011-01-23 | Conference | NYJ | W 24–19 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2011-02-06 | Super Bowl XLV | GNB | L 25–31 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2012-01-08 | Wild Card | @ DEN | L 23–29 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2015-01-03 | Wild Card | @ CAR | L 16–27 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 |