Hines Ward is one of the most beloved players in Pittsburgh Steelers history. From 1998-2011, he was one of the most consistent receivers in the league, and also one of the toughest.
From 2001-04, Ward made four consecutive Pro Bowls and was a Second-Team All-Pro three years in a row from 2002-04. In 2005, he helped the Steelers make it to the Super Bowl, catching what ended up being the game-sealing touchdown en route to being named the MVP of Super Bowl XL. Three seasons later, he put together his fifth 1,000-yard season as the Steelers won their second championship of the decade.
In the years since his retirement, Ward has taken the path of coaching. He interned with the Steelers in 2017 and was an offensive assistant for the New York Jets from 2019-20. From there, he became the wide receivers coach at Florida Atlantic in 2021, and had the chance to be a head coach in the UFL for the San Antonio Brahmas. Now at Arizona State University, Ward is the team’s wide receivers coach, as well as associate head coach. On a recent episode of the Yinziders Podcast, Ward said that coaching was something he did even as a player.
“As a player, I was always running all our drills,” Ward said. “You know, yes, I’ve had coaches, but the coaches that came in [would be like], ‘Hey, what type of drills do you guys do?’ I was like, “I got it covered.‘ So, I was always kind taking a bull by its horn.“
As previously noted, Ward has already been at his fair share of stops over the last decade – something that he and every coach has to understand is part of the life of a coach.
“There’s certain things that I can’t control,” Ward said. “You know, you’re a part of an organization or staff and and and you know if a staff gets fired, the whole staff gets fired. So you have to move on to the next chapter.“
Ward is entering his third season with the Sun Devils, who just saw wide receiver Jordyn Tyson get drafted with the eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints, which is something he hopes motivates the next group of pass-catchers that come through the program.
“I try to give them the blueprints of kind of what it takes to maintain… it comes to work ethic,” Ward said. “Are you outworking everyone? I have a saying that kind of just stayed with me – You can’t have professional dreams with playground habits. Meaning your habits have to be elite each and every day. And understanding that, yeah, you may be talented, but talent can only take you so far.”
Ward and Arizona State will begin their season on September 5 against Morgan State.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
- Former Steelers OC Todd Haley says Pittsburgh WRs could mimic legendary trio
- Aaron Rodgers leads Steelers teammates on ‘last rodeo’ retreat
- Pittsburgh Steelers top 10 players ahead of 2026 season
- Former Steelers CB Joe Haden says Mike Tomlin lacked accountability
- Steelers Super Bowl champion passes away
