The Pittsburgh Steelers have turned to a franchise icon to steer their future, appointing Casey Hampton as the new Director of College Scouting, the team announced Friday. The two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle replaces Brandon Hunt, who left for Philadelphia earlier this offseason, bringing a legendary presence to the front office.
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Hampton, 47, known as “Big Snack,” signed a multi-year deal to lead the Steelers’ college scouting efforts, though terms remain undisclosed. “Casey’s football mind and Steelers DNA are invaluable,” GM Omar Khan said. “He knows what it takes to build a champion.” The move comes as Pittsburgh reloads with quarterback Kirk Cousins and cornerback Mike Hilton, eyeing a 2025 Super Bowl run.
A first-round pick in 2001, Hampton anchored the Steelers’ defense for 12 seasons, amassing 403 tackles and 9.5 sacks while securing titles in Super Bowl XL and XLIII. Since retiring in 2012, he’s stayed connected to the team, earning a 2024 Hall of Honor nod. Fans on r/steelers cheered the hire: “Big Snack scouting? He’ll find us a beast!” (u/SteelFaith).
Hampton’s task is critical—revamping a roster with aging stars like Cam Heyward and a thin secondary post-Donte Jackson. His trench-savvy eye could unearth the next T.J. Watt or bolster the defensive line. “I’m here to find winners,” Hampton told reporters. With Steelers Nation buzzing—“Casey’s back to build a dynasty!” (@Steelersdepot)—his return could spark a new golden era.