Hines Ward unlikely to replace Steelers' WRs coach

Hines Ward isn't intereted in becoming an assistant coach for his former team, the Steelers. (US Presswire)

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery has left coach Mike Tomlin's staff to accept a position as the co-offensive coordinator at Duke University, his alma mater, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

As the Steelers search for a replacement for Montgomery, it's unlikely that Hines Ward will consider the position. When asked in March if he wanted to pursue a coaching career, Ward said he would accept a job at the University of Georgia before he returned to the Steelers.

“I think I have a lot to give back to my alma mater and I want to see Georgia win a national championship,” Ward told Georgiadogs.com. “I always said that if I ever wanted to coach this would probably be the first place I would like to do that.”

It also is not known how Montgomery's departure could impact Mike Wallace's return to the Steelers. Wallace, a free agent, maintained a close rapport with Montgomery during the assistant's three seasons in Pittsburgh.

Montgomery is one of only three Duke receivers to have three straight seasons with at least 50 receptions and 600 receiving yards. He also spent three seasons with the Broncos (2000-02) after originally signing with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2000.

Wallace signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract in August after a prolonged holdout. He could command a long-term deal similar to the five-year, $55.5 million contract Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed last year.

Montgomery became the third Steelers' assistant to leave Tomlin's staff since the end of the season.

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