Kevin Steele is reportedly in the mix for the Alabama defensive coordinator position.

The news comes from John Brice of FootballScoop. Brice wrote Saturday night that Steele, currently the defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes, has emerged as a candidate for the Crimson Tide vacancy after Nick Saban considered Jeremy Pruitt and Todd Grantham.

Pruitt, who served as Alabama’s defensive coordinator from 2016-17, was one of the first reported top candidates following Pete Golding’s departure. The NCAA’s investigation into Tennessee, however, makes it “impossible” for Alabama to hire Pruitt, per Brice.

Earlier this week, Grantham was reported to be a viable candidate. The veteran SEC defensive coordinator, however, opted to return to the NFL on Friday. Brice writes that the NFL calendar and coaching requirements appealed to Grantham, who was an analyst for Alabama in 2022.

Steele has 4 prior seasons of experience working for Saban. In 2007, Saban’s first season at Alabama, Steele was the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator. In 2008, Steele had the title of associate head coach in charge of defense, while Kirby Smart was promoted to defensive coordinator.

After the 2008 season, Steele took the defensive coordinator job at Clemson. He was fired in January 2012 after 3 seasons with the Tigers.

Steele returned to Alabama in 2013 as director of player personnel, an off-field position. In 2014, Steele was back in an on-field role as Alabama’s linebackers coach.

After his second stint at UA, Steele became a familiar foe for the Crimson Tide. He was LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2015 before taking the position at Auburn in 2016, a position he held through the 2020 season. Steele was briefly Tennessee’s interim head coach between Pruitt’s firing and Josh Heupel’s hiring.

Brice writes that Saban has one other candidate he is further vetting for the defensive coordinator position.