Kevin Steele to be named new Alabama defensive coordinator, per report

Kevin Steele accepted the vacant defensive coordinator position at Alabama Sunday, making yet another return to Tuscaloosa after 1 year as DC in Coral Gables with Miami.

Steele, who has coached at 4 separate SEC programs in various capacities, will take over for Pete Golding, who announced he would be leaving for Ole Miss in January.

ESPN’s Chris Low first reported the news Sunday evening.

Kevin Steele has accepted the job as @AlabamaFTBL’s defensive coordinator, sources tell ESPN. This will be Steele’s third different stint under Nick Saban at Bama. Steele, a 39-year coaching veteran, was @CanesFootball’s DC last season. He’s coached at four different SEC schools.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 5, 2023

Steele spent his playing days at Furman and later Tennessee, also starting his coaching career at Tennessee as a student assistant. He was Alabama’s DC in 2007, moved to Clemson in 2009 and returned to Alabama as Director of Player Personnel in 2013. He moved to linebackers coach with the Tide in 2014.

Steele held 4 different positions from 2015-2022, including interim HC at Auburn and Tennessee following the firing of Jeremy Pruitt, though he did not oversee any games for the Vols. He lost the 2020 Citrus Bowl with the Tigers.

Is this a good or bad hire for the Crimson Tide?