Auburn has been up and down over the last three seasons. The Tigers won the SEC West in 2017 as part of a 10-4 campaign, but went just 8-5 in each of the other two seasons. One constant positive has been the AU defense under Kevin Steele.

Steele left rival LSU to join Gus Malzahn’s staff before the 2016 season. Even in an 8-5 season, Auburn’s defense finished No. 7 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 17.1 points per game. The Tigers slipped a bit the next year (despite the improved record), finishing No. 11 nationally allowing 18.5 points per game. Last year, AU was No. 14 in scoring defense, giving up 19.2 points per game. Three consecutive top-15 finishes under the same coordinator is remarkable consistency. It’s also uncommon. ESPN’s Chris Low found that only Clemson can claim the same (three-straight top-15 finishes in scoring defense under same defensive coordinator/play-caller) under Brent Venables.

Steele didn’t even need to complete the thrid season to get a pay raise from Auburn which moved him into the $2 million club among assistant coaches. Most Tigers fans consider it money well spent.