Steelers secondary coach Carnell Lake has resigned his position with the team after seven seasons, citing family issues.
Lake announced the decision Wednesday, releasing a statement.
"I have decided to return to California to be able to be a part of my youngest son's last year of high school football," Lake said. "I want to thank Mr. Art Rooney II and the Rooney family, Coach Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, the coaching staffs I have worked with throughout my time in Pittsburgh and the entire Steelers organization. It has been a privilege and an honor to play and coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I also want to thank all of the players I have coached during my seven years with the team -- it truly was an honor to work with them. Finally, I would like to thank Steelers fans for their support and for being the best fans in the NFL during both my time as a player and coach."
A former Pro Bowl safety and corner with the Steelers from 1989 through 1998, Lake returned to the Steelers in 2011 as the coach of the team's defensive backs.
He has helped the team rebuild its secondary over the past few seasons, ushering in corner Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis through the draft in 2016, and adding corners Joe Haden and Mike Hilton this season.
The Steelers finished the 2017 season ranked fifth in the NFL in pass defense.
Lake's departure is the third from Mike Tomlin's staff in this offseason. Receivers coach Richard Mann retired at the end of the season and offensive coordinator Todd Haley was not retained.
