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The day after LSU throttled Texas Tech in the 2015 Texas Bowl, then-Tigers defensive coordinator abruptly left to take the same position at Auburn after just one year in Baton Rouge.
That move has worked out quite well for him.
No. 15 Auburn is the hottest team in the nation coming off its 56-3 thrashing of Arkansas. Steele’s defense has much to do with the Tigers’ newfound success — his unit is third nationally in scoring defense (14.1 points per game) and 18th in total defense (328 yards per game).
That marks a sharp improvement from his lone LSU squad that gave up 24.3 points per game, well below the expectations for defense in Baton Rouge. In fact, members of the national media are recognizing Steele for the job he has done through the first half of the season at Auburn.
Kevin Steele would get my vote for Broyles Award as top assistant. His Auburn defense hasn't given up more than 2 TDs in a game all year.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) October 23, 2016
As Low points out, Auburn hasn’t allowed more than two touchdowns in any game this season. Pair that stout defense with a blossoming running back, and Auburn suddenly looks like a team that could challenge No. 1 Alabama.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
