Keith Butler will succeed Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We are excited to announce Keith Butler as our defensive coordinator,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Keith has been an integral part of our defensive game planning and schemes for several years and we look forward to him moving into the role of calling the defense. His passion and energy will be important to us taking the next steps to being one of the top defenses in the NFL.”

Butler, a former NFL linebacker, was the team’s linebackers coach and received increased interest from other teams for coordinator jobs. He has been with the Steelers since 2003 and has been groomed to take over the defensive coordinator role.

“It’s the dream of a lifetime,” said Butler, who signed a three-year deal. “There are only 32 of these jobs on this Earth. I am excited about the opportunity and I look forward to getting this process started immediately.”

LeBeau resigned after 11 seasons as defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. He was asked to step down by Tomlin. Tomlin retained LeBeau when he was hired to replace Bill Cowher. He is in the mix to replace Todd Bowles with the Cardinals if the Arizona defensive coordinator becomes a head coach.

“I’m resigning. I’m not retiring,” LeBeau, 77, told the Post-Gazette. “It was a lot of great days, a lot of great years. It’s time to go in a different direction.”

LeBeau has been in the NFL for 56 years as a player and coach. In 2010 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his play as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions. In his 14 years LeBeau grabbed 62 interceptions, seventh best total in NFL history.

He was twice defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Benglas, first from 1984 to 1991 and then from 1997 to -2000, served as head coach there from 2000 to 2002.

LeBeau gained even more notoriety in two stints as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator (1995-96 and 2004 to present) and is heralded as the architect of the zone blitz that has been popular among 3-4 teams in the NFL for years.

During LeBeau’s combined 13 with the Steelers, his defenses ranked No. 1 five times and in the top five 10 times.

“We want to thank Dick for his many years of service with the team and all that he has done for this organization,” Tomlin said. “His coaching helped lead us to many successful seasons and championships. We are very appreciative of his efforts, and we wish him well.”