After high-profile names such as Alabama’s Kirby Smart and Chicago Bears’ Mel Tucker were floated Monday, the LSU Tigers had a different target in mind to replace John Chavis as the team’s defensive coordinator.
LSU was able to lure a quality coach from the Alabama Crimson Tide. It just wasn’t Smart.
Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele will take over Les Miles’ defense.
Kevin Steele has been named #LSU defensive coordinator. #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/o7yMWoLWSa
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) January 13, 2015
Steele came to Alabama after he was replaced as the Clemson’s defensive coordinator in 2012. It was his second stop in Tuscaloosa. In 2007, Steele served as Nick Saban‘s defensive coordinator before Smart took over play-calling duties.
The move to Baton Rogue also isn’t a first for Steele. The assistant coach spent the 2004 season as Saban’s secondary coach.
Miles has been searching for a new coordinator the Texas A&M Aggies hired Chavis on Dec. 31. Chavis left the Tigers in good shape after leading them to a Top 10 defense in 2014.
The lasting impression of Steele as a defensive coordinator, however, remains the West Virginia Mountaineers hanging 70 points on his Clemson Tigers during the 2012 Orange Bowl.
Clemson in total defense in Steele’s four seasons: 2009: 12th 2010: 19th 2011: 71st 2012: 64th #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) January 13, 2015
Steele is considered a top-notch recruiter, but he has big shoes to fill down in the Bayou.