Steelers Name Ray Sherman Interim Wide Receivers Coach After Passing of Darryl Drake

No one can fill the void left behind in the Steelers locker room after the untimely passing of coach Darryl Drake, who had a momentous impact on Pittsburgh's wide receiver corps.

Yet, Pittsburgh is forced to move on with their preseason plans, fair or not. With the regular season just a few weeks away, Pittsburgh has named Ray Sherman their interim wide receivers coach.

While dealing with tremendous grief, Sherman has already connected with young Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, a Pro Bowl talent who made great strides under Coach Drake. Smith-Schuster knows Sherman can pick up where Drake left off.

“A guy who has been here,” Smith-Schuster called Sherman. “He has coached everybody from Jerry Rice to young guys like us. It’s the best opportunity to have him step up and play that role for us. Also, Blaine (Stewart) is doing a great job. It just takes all of us together. We are in this together."

Sherman hasn't officially coached since he retired after the 2015 season with the Rams. In the end, it was Sherman's connection with Drake which gave the Steelers comfort he's the right man for the job.

“It’s been good because Coach Drake used to tell us that he would ask him questions,” said James Washington. “For Coach Drake to tell us that explains the type of guy that Coach Sherman is and the knowledge he has and all that he brings to the table as a coach.”

With a heavy heart, Sherman has accepted this next challenge. Surely, Coach Drake would approve.