Danny Smith has become a social media darling, with telecasts capturing cutaway shots of him chomping on Dubble Bubble, pumping his fist or being mobbed by Pittsburgh Steelers after special teams splash plays.

From his sideline antics to the slang he slips into his answers, the Steelers special teams coach has become one of their most colorful characters.

If Smith is enjoying the spotlight, it’s not because he’s being showcased — he swears he doesn’t have time for that — but rather for the unit’s success. That’s especially true when it comes to the celebrations after three consecutive games with a blocked kick and the 73-yard punt return for a touchdown by Calvin Austin III in the 26-18 win over the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football” at Acrisure Stadium.

“We’re in this together, I promise you,” Smith said Wednesday morning at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. “That’s another thing I stress: It ain’t just about you. It ain’t just about me. It’s about us. We are definitely in this together. … ”

Then Smith, who turns 71 on Nov. 7, showed his comical side that makes him a favorite of fans and players alike by issuing an impromptu warning: “But I told them to stay the hell away from me. I’ve got 300-pounders shaking me and stuff. Dan Moore shakes me after that one game and said, ‘I didn’t know you were so light.’”

This is where Smith gets animated.

“What the hell do you think I do? I ain’t lifting weights! I ain’t you! Stay the hell away from me!” Smith said to laughter. “Just crazy things like that. It’s been fun from that. They beat the hell out of me that day, man. I’m sore. I didn’t even play. I’m probably going to be the first coach you see on the sideline in shoulder pads and a helmet.”

Now that would be a sight the television cameras would love. And one Smith would love to avoid. While he’s aware that he’s gone viral, Smith says he doesn’t bother to watch the video clips. It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate the attention. He’s just got too much work to do.

“I don’t have time to fool with it, man. I just don’t,” Smith said. “I work my butt off. That’s my job, and I take it serious. I just don’t have time for that stuff. People are like, ‘Did you see this? Did you see that?’ If they don’t have it clicked up, I can’t wait for you to click it up. I’ve got to go. I’m just not that guy.”

Steelers second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. can attest to the power of Smith’s personality, given that Porter’s father was the outside linebackers coach on the Steelers staff with Smith from 2014-18. To hear Steelers players talk about Smith, it’s not so much his fiery and funny persona that is the secret to his success — even if those traits are contagious.

“I’ve been knowing Danny Smith for a long time now, and he keeps that same energy, that same juice since I’ve been knowing him,” Porter Jr. said. “He gets all the guys fired up. When everybody makes a play on special teams, we’re all trying to salute him because of all the dedication and time he puts into this. He’s a great coach.”

Instead, it’s Smith’s indefatigable work ethic, attention to detail and straight-shooting style of coaching the most underappreciated phase of football that has earned the respect of his special teamers.

“Coach Danny is going to drill us with hard work and his coaching habits. He’s going to critique the hell out of you but it’s for good reason,” said Steelers tight end Connor Heyward, who plays on four special teams units. “He’s been a character with or without the camera — and he always will be. That’s who he is. He’s truly himself. He just shows his passion. When we make plays, he wants us to show our passion. You see him out there throwing fist bumps, chewing his gum, talking (trash), spitting and doing everything. That’s just Danny Smith, a Pittsburgh guy who loves football and lives it, honestly.

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“Obviously, he’s been in the spotlight for his bubble gum for many years and the splash plays on special teams, but when they’re happening in back-to-back games, it highlights him more and highlights the guys. He always tries to credit us, but it’s him putting us in those positions.”

Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop, who plays on kick coverage and kickoff returns, noted that Smith shares with players how he doesn’t have any hobbies outside of watching film and credited both Smith’s enthusiasm for his job and his schemes for their success.

“It’s so rewarding because we know the amount of time he spends in the facility drawing up plays and things for us to run. He puts so much time in that people don’t see,” Bishop said. “He’s a character. If people were able to see him in meetings or around the building, they would understand that that’s him. He’s not just putting on a show for the media. That’s just how he acts.”