re: Perspective on Kevin Steele

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Perspective on Kevin Steele

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I know you guys have been really upset about this hire for the most part - but I wanted to tell you all that losing Kevin Steele to LSU is not what anyone wanted to see happen - regardless of what any Bama fan tells you. I think most were anticipating him moving back into the DC role once Kirby found a head coaching gig.

In 2007, Steele led the least talented Bama team in 40 years to a fairly decent year. We ranked in the top half of the SEC on defense in every major statistical category. We were 3rd in the SEC for TFL, 5th in sacks, 6th in total defense, 4th in scoring defense, 4th in rushing defense, 3rd in INTs, etc... That was a team that lost to ULM and would be the first Bama team since 1971 to not have a single player drafted. Pretty good stuff.

Contrary to what has been posted here - Kevin Steele was not demoted to a position coach following the 2007 season. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach and "Head Coach of the Defense". Kirby Smart was given a promotion to "Co-Defensive Coordinator".

In 2008, Alabama's defense started becoming what it's been known for recently. We ranked 3rd in the conference in Pass efficiency defense, 4th in fumbles recovered, 1st in rush defense, 2nd in scoring defense (avg 14 pts/gm), 1st in total defense, etc... All top 10 rankings nationally.

I'm not sure what went down while he was at Clemson. Based on what I've seen, he really only had one bad year. It's obvious that Coach Saban thinks a whole lot of the man to hire him twice. The 2nd time he hired him he basically created a position for him just to have him on staff.

As far as recruiting goes - I'm not sure there's another defensive coordinator in America that is better at recruiting. Combine his recruiting strengths with Coach O and Les Miles on the same staff - all recruiting in the loaded state of Louisiana - and LSU will no doubt be absolutely STACKED for years to come.

I think you will all be pleasantly surprised at what Steele will do with an already extremely talented roster.

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Thanks for the in-depth post on Steele, T. It comes at a good time as this plus Orgeron's evident hiring have given LSU fans an emotional overload. Rational thought will only return to this board next week. Maybe.

Thanks for the input. I'm worried about scheming, but I am happy to have a guy that will work close with linebackers, and another proven recruitor.

Thanks for the good perspective on Steele

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Tuscaloosa

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Suck it, Gump

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I think you will all be pleasantly surprised at what Steele will do with an already extremely talented roster.

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Thanks for helping talk some of us off the ledge

Wow, you can be a pretty decent poster when you want to.

Solid post.

What happened at Clemson was that Dabo's budget for players had not expanded to buy enough defenders yet. Praise the LAWD!

As for the Steele era at Baylor...Saban would not have put together a bowl team there back then. The much needed financial support for that program came a few years after when boosters will big cash simply could not take the embarrassment any longer.

Am I saying Steele is a brilliant hire based on coaching ability? No. But there is always more to a track record than just past jobs and the basic results.

Fantastic read!!