Kevin Steele Joins Alabama's Staff for His Third Stint With Nick Saban, per Report

Steele served as Miami's defensive coordinator in 2022.

Alabama coach Nick Saban appears to be turning to a familiar face to lead his defense in 2023.

The Crimson Tide are hiring Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to the same position, according to a Sunday report from ESPN's Chris Low. Steele will replace defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who left to take the same job at Ole Miss in January.

Kevin Steele has accepted the job as @AlabamaFTBL’s defensive coordinator, sources tell ESPN. This will be Steele’s third different stint under Nick Saban at Bama. Steele, a 39-year coaching veteran, was @CanesFootball’s DC last season. He’s coached at four different SEC schools.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 5, 2023

Steele and Saban, as noted in Low's report, have a lengthy history together at Alabama. Steele was on the defensive staff of Saban's first two Crimson Tide teams before leaving to take Clemson's defensive coordinator job in 2009. 

After helping facilitate Tigers coach Dabo Swinney's early success, Steele returned to Alabama as director of player personnel in 2013 and linebackers coach in 2014. He bounced around LSU, Auburn (where he helped coach Gus Malzahn defeat Saban twice), Tennessee and Miami before returning to Tuscaloosa.

Under Steele in 2022, the Hurricanes allowed 26.8 points per game to rank 68th in the FBS.