Nick Saban details decision to bring Kevin Steele back to Alabama

Alabama coach Nick Saban‘s search for a defensive coordinator this offseason ultimately landed on a familiar face in Kevin Steele. Most recently the defensive coordinator at Miami, Steele returns to Tuscaloosa for his third stint with the Crimson Tide.

Steele was Saban’s first defensive coordinator upon taking over as the Alabama head coach in 2007. He remained in the role for two years before departing for Clemson, but eventually returned in 2013 as the Crimson Tide’s director of player personnel.

Speaking at SEC Media Day on Wednesday, Saban revealed why he chose to reunite with Steele this season after Pete Golding left for Ole Miss.

“Coach Steel’s a very experienced coach,” Saban said. “He’s been a very successful defensive coordinator in our league for a number of years. He’s been with us in the past on several occasions so he kind of understands out system of how we do things and what we do. So it was a combination of his knowledge and experience as well as his familiarity with how we do things that made it a good choice for us.”

Additionally, Steele has held defensive coordinator roles in the SEC at both LSU and Auburn. While at Auburn from 2016-20, his defenses ranked among the top 40 programs in the country in points allowed per game each season.

Steele takes over an Alabama defense that was among the best in the SEC this past season. The Crimson Tide ranked third in total defense as well as second in scoring defense, but missed out on the College Football Playoff as they went 11-2.

Alabama loses several key contributors from a year ago, including edge rusher Will Anderson and defensive back Brian Branch. However, they also return key pieces such as linebacker Dallas Turner and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, who led the SEC with 16 pass break ups a season ago. That, along with the addition for Georgia linebacker Trezmen Marshall in the transfer portal, still gives them plenty of talent despite the losses.

Among the many challenges for Steele this upcoming season will be making an effort to force more turnovers. Despite McKinstry’s lockdown coverage, he managed just one interception a year ago. Alabama tied for last place in the conference in turnovers forced per game (1.1) and loses their leader in interceptions in Branch, who had two.

Still, given his experience with Saban and at many high-level programs in college football, Steele provides hope of better days in 2023. He’ll get to lead the defensive onto the field for the first time when the Crimson Tide open the season on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee.