Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has agreed to become the new wide receivers coach at Arizona State University, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Ward, 48, spent his entire 14-year NFL playing career from the Steelers from 1998 to 2011 before getting into coaching.

He was an offensive intern for the Steelers in 2017, an offensive assistant for the New York Jets from 2019 to 2020 and a wide receivers coach at Florida Atlantic in 2021. Most recently, Ward served as head coach of the XFL's San Antonio Brahmas last season.

After starring collegiately at Georgia, Ward established himself as one of the greatest wideouts in Steelers history, earning four Pro Bowl selections, two Super Bowl wins and a Super Bowl MVP Award.

Despite playing for the same organization as Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, Ward holds every major Steelers receiving record.

Ward is the Steelers' all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yardage (12,083) and receiving touchdowns (85).

Given the success he enjoyed as part of one of the most iconic teams in football history, it stands to reason that Ward has plenty of wisdom to impart on young wide receivers.

At Arizona State, Ward is joining the staff led by head coach Kenny Dillingham, who is the youngest FBS head coach at just 33 years of age.

After serving as the offensive coordinator at Oregon in 2022, Dillingham was named ASU's head coach prior to he 2023 season. He went through plenty of trials and tribulations in his first season as a head coach, going just 3-9.

Ward brings a ton of high-level playing and coaching experience to Dillingham's staff, which should be a big help given Dillingham's youth.

Ward's experience includes one year as a head coach in he XFL, as he led San Antonio to a 3-7 record last season before parting ways.

More head coaching opportunities could be in Ward's future, but it starts with proving he can help develop young receivers into stars at a high level with Arizona State beginning play in the Big 12 in 2024.