Miami DC Kevin Steele emerges at Alabama with past Crimson Tide history

Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has emerged as a potential hire at Alabama for the same position according to John Brice of Football Scoop. Steele was previously the Alabama director of player personnel in 2013 and linebackers coach in 2014. Steele has extensive history coaching in the SEC.

Kevin Steele has three separate stints as an assistant in the SEC. The coaching career for Steele began as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1980 and 1981. In 1982 Steele was the Tennessee outside linebackers coach. After four seasons away Steele returned to Tennessee as the defensive backs coach in 1987 and 1988.

Steele was the Alabama defensive coordinator, from 2007-08, returning as the director of player personnel in 2013 and linebackers coach in 2014. In 2015 LSU hired Steele as the DC/LB coach, followed by 2016–2020 as the Auburn DC, 2020 as Auburn interim HC and DC and the 2021 offseason as Tennessee interim HC.

The Miami defense struggle significantly in their inaugural season under Steele. Miami was 67th nationally allowing 26.8 points per game and 65th with opponents averaging 375.2 total yards per game. The Hurricanes need to improve significantly defensively in 2023 whether or not Steele returns in 2023.

Miami linebackers coach and Co-DC Charlie Strong could take over the full responsibilities if Steele is hired by Alabama, Miami defensive analyst DeMarcus Van Dyke could return to an on-field role. Van Dyke was the cornerbacks’ coach on the Miami staff prior to Mario Cristobal being hired in December 2021.

Football scoop reported that sources told them Saban has an additional but unnamed candidate that he is currently vetting. There has been a lot of speculation about candidates to become the new Alabama DC in addition to Steele. Mario Cristobal will have options other than Strong if Steele leaves for Alabama.

One name to watch is former DB coach Travaris Robinson who is currently on the Alabama staff and was at Miami in 2021. Cristobal also has to search for an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks and wide receiver coaches. Josh Gattis was fired last month and QB coach Frank Ponce left for Appalachian State.