LSU selects Kevin Steele as new defensive coordinator

The LSU Tigers have hired former Alabama Crimson Tide linebackers coach Kevin Steele as the team’s new defensive coordinator.

The LSU Tigers are wasting little time in moving forward towards next season. The program has hired former Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele to replace the departing John Chavis. During his time with the Crimson Tide, the program went 23-4 in the last two seasons, and made it to this year’s Sugar Bowl semi final game of the College Football Playoff against Ohio State, losing 42-35 to the eventual national champions. Steele was also on staff for the 2007 and 2008 NCAA football seasons as well, during that period as a defensive coordinator and associate head coach.

Prior to his most recent stint with Alabama, Steele spent 4 years, from 2009-12, with the Clemson Tigers football team. The program went 36-18 during his tenure, and went 2-2 in bowl games, most notably a win over LSU in the 2012 Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Clemson’s defensive ranks during his stay with the team were consistently among the upper half of college football. Below is a list of year by year results, courtesy of Advocate’s LSU beat reporter Ross Dellenger on Twitter.

"Clemson in total defense in Steele’s four seasons: 2009: 12th 2010: 19th 2011: 71st 2012: 64th #LSU — Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) January 13, 2015"

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Last season was somewhat of a disappointment for the usually competitive LSU football program. After winning at least ten games for the previous four seasons, the team won just eight. For Les Miles and company, anything short of an SEC title game appearance is unsatisfying. The Tigers won the National Championship in 2007-08, and finished as a runner up to Alabama in 2011-12. Now, it would appear that the program is ready to make some moves to restore its chances of catching back up to the Crimson Tide, as well as the rest of the resurgent teams within the conference, such as Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.

Steele will look to improve an LSU defense that was already pretty formidable. The team ranked 5th nationally in points allowed with just 17.5 per game given up overall last year. Should they be able to fine tune even further, it is entirely possible that the team can avoid repeats of heartbreaking losses such as their 20-13 overtime thriller with Alabama, or their razor close 34-29 loss against Mississippi State. There is zero excuse for their showing against Auburn, where the team allowed a season high 41, while scoring just a measly 7 of their own, albeit against a then fifth-ranked Tigers team. With Steele on staff, the team does not expect a repeat of that performance either.

(H/T NBC Sports)

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