Keith Armstrong enters his second season as special teams coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Under Armstrong's tutelage, starting field position for Buccaneers opponents following kickoffs was the 24.5 yardline in 2019, the ninth-best mark in the NFL. Individually, punter and kickoff specialist Bradley Pinion set a single-season NFL record with 88 touchbacks (tracked since 1991). His 90.7 touchback percentage was the second-highest mark in the NFL last season. In addition, rookie kicker Matt Gay finished fifth in the NFL, and first among rookies, with 124 kicker points.
Prior to joining the Buccaneers in 2019, Armstrong had spent the past 10 seasons as the special teams coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (2008-18). During his time with the Falcons, Armstrong boasted one of the top punt coverage units in the NFL, allowing only one punt return for a touchdown during that time, tied for the fewest in the league, and allowed only 8.0 yards per return, the third-lowest mark in the NFL during that span.
Atlanta's field goal units under Armstrong were among the best in the NFL, connecting on 87.7 percent of field goal attempts, the third-highest mark in the league, and 99.1 percent of extra point attempts, the second-highest mark in the NFL. Falcons kickers contributed 1,383 points during Armstrong's time overseeing the unit, the fourth-most among any team.
While with the Falcons, Armstrong coached several players to Pro Bowl appearances, with returner Devin Hester making his final career appearance in 2014, kicker Matt Bryant earning his first career berth in 2016 and special teams player Eric Weems being named a Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro by the Pro Football Writers of America in 2010.
Prior to his tenure in Atlanta, Armstrong served as the special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolphins for seven seasons (2001-07). Similar to his time with Atlanta, the punt coverage units with Miami were some of the best in the NFL, allowing only 6.6 yards per return, the fewest in the league, and they did not allow a punt return for a touchdown, joining the Buffalo Bills as the only teams in the NFL to do so.
Armstrong started his NFL coaching career with the Falcons as the safeties coach in 1994. He held that role for two seasons before being promoted to secondary coach in 1996. Following his first stint with the Falcons, Armstrong spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears (1997-2000).
A native of Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, Armstrong played collegiately at Temple, under Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians, who held the same role for the Owls. Armstrong began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with Temple (1987), before working with Miami (Fla.) in 1988, Akron in 1989, Oklahoma State from 1990-1992 and Notre Dame in 1993.
