When you think of player development, you normally think of a head coach getting the best out of someone. Or a change in coordinator that tailors a scheme to a player’s strengths. Even a position coach with the right voice and knowledge can cause a player to grow.
For Diontae Johnson, all three of those positions have played a factor. So has another: Steelers assistant equipment coach Lou Balde. Johnson credits him for helping improve his hands before and after each practice. And it’s had a domino effect on the rest of the team.
Appearing on the most recent episode of the Steel Here podcast with co-hosts Kevin Adams and Jersey Jerry, Johnson discussed the key yet unheralded role Balde plays.