How Alabama DC Kevin Steele is Enforcing Disciplined Mindset on Defense

Kevin Steele is focused on the right mindset for the 2023 Alabama defense, and a big part of that mindset is discipline.

Will Miller | Aug 10, 2023

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Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— New Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is focused on the process that has been working at Alabama for years, and that mindset has made an impression on his players.

Steele brings experience not only from several places, but from being at the Capstone at the very beginning of head coach Nick Saban's tenure. He's seen firsthand what works, and his goal is to instill that process in the players.

"He's been honest about being disciplined, focusing on your keys, doing the little things right, finishing at the line," linebacker Chris Braswell said. "If the ball's on the ground, pick the ball up, scoop-and-score, focusing on getting the ball out, turnovers, everything. All of the little things that matter is what he focuses on."

Braswell came into his own last season, and his role will expand in 2023. He's committed to continued improvement— "You can always get better," he said.

"Coach Steele's a great guy, great coach," cornerback Terrion Arnold said. "[He's] a perfectionist. We do pursuit drills, sometimes we don't line up the right way, forcing us to go back kinda gets us going.

"The guy has a crazy voice when he gets riled up. He's one of those guys that really gets you excited and gets you in the mood to play."

Discipline makes a difference, and penalties were an issue on the 2022 defensive corps. However, the players want to shore that up and reduce those negative plays. Steele shares that vision, and it's reflected in practice and preparation.

"I did a couple up-downs, I ain't gonna lie," Braswell said. "As a defense, if you jump offside, or you're in the neutral zone, just gotta get some up-downs in, just trying to show that discipline factor. We had a lot of penalties last year, so we're trying to clean that up on the defensive side. We just wanna remain disciplined as a team, and especially as a defense."

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