Raiders add Perry to coaching staff

The Raiders added former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Darren Perry to coach the secondary. Perry spent the last four years coaching defensive backs for the Steelers. Prior to that, Perrry spent a year in Cincinnati, as a safeties coach.

Before coaching, the 38-year-old played 139 games in the NFL for Pittsburgh and New Orleans. He signed with San Diego in 1999, but didn't play due to a neck injury. His first seven years in the league were spent with the Steelers, appearing in Super Bowl XXX.

"Darren's track record speaks for itself in Pittsburgh, first as an outstanding player and then equally as a proven coach," said Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin on Raiders.com. "His work in the defensive backfield has resulted in championship caliber play from all areas. More specifically, his work with Troy Polamalu, whom I'm very familiar with, has been outstanding and will translate well with the great talent we have here."

Perry’s appointment raises speculation on what long time defensive backs coach Willie Brown’s role will be with Perry in the coaching mix.

Perry was a decent defensive back in his day, starting his first 110 NFL games right out of Penn State in 1992. He had 35 career interceptions and 1 touchdown. There was no mention of Brown in Kiffin's statements.