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Dirt Winston
No. 53, 56, 55
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1955-10-25) October 25, 1955 (age 69)
Forest City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
College: Arkansas (1973–1976)
NFL Draft: 1977 / Round: 5 / Pick: 132
Career history
As player:
As coach:
  • Grove City (1987)
    Linebackers coach
  • Slippery Rock (1988)
    Linebackers coach
  • Arkansas State (1989–1991)
    Linebackers coach
  • Grambling State (1992–1993)
    Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
  • Norfolk State (1994)
    Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
  • Grambling State (1995–1996)
    Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
  • Arkansas (1997–1998)
    Outside linebackers coach
  • Lincoln HS (TX) (1999)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Kentucky State (2000)
    Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
  • Toledo (2001–2002)
    Linebackers coach
  • Toledo (2003)
    Defensive line coach
  • Edmonton Eskimos (2005–2006)
    Defensive line coach
  • Mississippi Valley State (2007–2009)
    Defensive line coach
  • Arkansas–Pine Bluff (2010–2012)
    Defensive line coach
  • Grambling State (2013)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Grambling State (2013)
    Interim head coach
  • Eastern Illinois (2014–2015)
    Defensive line coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 13
Fumble recoveries: 13
Defensive TDs: 3
Player stats at PFR

Dennis "Dirt" Winston (born October 25, 1955) is a former American football player. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. After his playing career, he became a football coach.

About Dirt Winston

Dennis Winston got the nickname "Dirt." He was known for his tough playing style. He played college football at the University of Arkansas. He was a key player for their team from 1973 to 1976. In 1974, he was recognized as one of the best players in the Southwest Conference.

Playing in the NFL

Dirt Winston was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1977. He played for them until 1981. A linebacker's job is to stop the other team's offense. They tackle players and try to get the ball back.

Winston was part of the Steelers' famous teams. These teams won two Super Bowl championships. A Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL. He helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. In Super Bowl XIV, he even started the game. He filled in for an injured teammate, Jack Ham.

After playing for the Steelers, he joined the New Orleans Saints. He played there from 1982 to 1985. He then returned to the Steelers for one more season in 1985-1986. During his NFL career, he made 13 interceptions. He also recovered 13 fumbles. He scored 3 touchdowns on defense.

Coaching Career

After his playing days, Dirt Winston became a football coach. He coached at many different schools and teams. He often worked as a linebackers coach or defensive coordinator. This means he helped players on defense.

He coached at colleges like Grove City, Slippery Rock, and Arkansas State. He also coached at his old college, the University of Arkansas. He even coached high school football at Lincoln High School in Texas.

Winston also coached in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He worked for the Edmonton Elks. He coached at several other colleges too. These include Mississippi Valley State and Eastern Illinois.

In 2013, he became the interim head coach for the Grambling State Tigers. He led the team for part of that season. His record as head coach was 1 win and 4 losses.

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