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Bud Carson, the innovative defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the mid- to late-seventies, passed away Friday at age 75.

Carson was the architect of defense that became known as the Steel Curtain. With the Steelers from 1972-77, he coached some of the best known defensive players in the game's history, including the legendary defensive lineman, Mean Joe Greene, and linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert into one of the best in NFL history. During that six year period, the Steelers would win three Super Bowl titles.

Carson had spent five years as the head coach at Georgia Tech before Chuck Knoll hired him as the Steelers' defensive co-ordinator in 1972. Carson would later go on to become defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams and then to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1989-90. In 1979, Carson's Rams went to the Super Bowl only to lose to his former team and Chuck Knoll.

During his years with Pittsburgh, the Steelers posted some of the greatest defensive numbers in NFL history. Though they would not win the Super Bowl in 1976, the Steelers and Carson orchestrated a defense that will likely never be equaled. That season, the team would lose their outstanding signal caller Terry Bradshaw during a 1-4 start. But those Steelers proceeded to win football games with their mighty defense, posting five shutouts including three in a row at one point and allowing only 28 points over their final nine regular season games, all wins.

Current Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy was a rookie defensive back for the Steelers under Carson in 1977. Dungy still marvels at how Carson would make major adjustments in personnel and strategy, both in the middle of a game as well as during the season. Dungy also acknowledged that the widely copied Cover 2 defense, a strategy that allows a cornerback to release the coverage of a receiver to a safety, was a creation of Carson. Thirty years later, that is the coverage option of preference in the current NFL.

Carson also was a strong proponent of an attacking defense. Instead of allowing an offense to dictate, Carson brought an aggressive defensive approach that often made the offense the reactor to his defensive schemes. He also was known for good old-fashioned motivation techniques, willing to pull any player was not performing to expectations. The defensive coordinator once removed future Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount from an AFC championship game because he didn't think Blount was playing up to his ability.

Carson played his college ball at North Carolina. The defensive genius played defensive back from 1949-51 before doing a brief stint in the military.