SDS will look at new assistant coaches around the SEC, highlighting their accomplishments, achievements, history and tough tasks ahead of them. Next up, LSU’s Kevin Steele.

Kevin Steele, LSU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach

Coaching history:

  • 2015: LSU defensive coordinator
  • 2013-14: Alabama director of player personnel, linebackers
  • 2009-12: Clemson defensive coordinator, linebackers
  • 2007-08: Alabama defensive coordinator, assistant head coach/linebackers
  • 2003-06: Florida State linebackers
  • 1999-2002: Baylor head coach
  • 1995-98: Carolina Panthers linebackers
  • 1989-94: Nebraska linebackers
  • 1987-88: Tennessee defensive backs
  • 1984-86: Oklahoma State linebackers/tight ends
  • 1983: New Mexico State linebackers
  • 1982: Tennessee outside linebackers
  • 1981: Tennessee graduate assistant

Let’s get it out of the way early: Kevin Steele wasn’t the most popular hire LSU could have made at defensive coordinator. There were sexier names out there, more accomplished resumes, up-and-coming coaches, all of whom would have been able to do a great job with LSU’s defense.

The question: how much of that is colored by the last game Steele served as a defensive coordinator? Fans still make “West Virginia just scored again” jokes directed at Clemson devotees, in reference to the Mountaineers lighting up Steele’s defense to the tune of 70 points in the 2012 Orange Bowl.

Steele had been a DC prior to that, coaching the Crimson Tide defense in Nick Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa. Even though it was a clear rebuilding year, Steele still oversaw a defense that finished 33rd in the nation in total defense.

On a staff loaded with former head coaches, Steele is yet another name with experience running a program. He was the head man at Baylor from 1999 until 2002, long before the Bears rose to national prominence. He went 9-36 in his four seasons at the helm before being dismissed.

Steele does have a long, impressive track record as a positional coach. He spent last season coaching Alabama’s stellar linebacking corps, and prior to that he’d done the same at Florida State in the early 2000s and for the Carolina Panthers before his stint at Baylor.

Steele is known for his intense demeanor and for demanding the best out of his players, and he’s also known as an excellent recruiter. LSU may have blue chippers sitting in its backyard, but it never hurts to have another ace recruiter on the staff.

Another plus for Steele: he’s versatile. He’s coached a 3-4 scheme, most recently with Alabama. He used a 4-3 defense at Clemson, playing a style similar to the infamous Monte Kiffin Cover 2 scheme made famous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

LSU operated a 4-3 defense under John Chavis and will likely remain that way for the most part under Steele, but being able to throw different looks at opponents will be a plus for the talented unit.

For all his experience, Steele is known more as a motivator and recruiter than tactician. With all of the talent on hand in Baton Rouge, we’ll see if that works out in LSU’s favor.