LSU Hoping Steele Carries Over Success at Bama

After two weeks of endless rumors that cycled big-time coaching names like Ron Zook, Jack Del Rio, Don Pellum, and Kirby Smart, the LSU Tigers have agreed to hire Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele.

The specifics of their agreement have not been released, though the school has confirmed the hire.

Don’t let the title of linebacker coach lead you to underestimate this hire, Kevin Steele is a big-time coach. Steele got into coaching over 25 years ago and has worked on the staff of legendary coaches Tom Osborne, Bobby Bowden, and Nick Saban.

At Nebraska, Steele was linebackers coach with Osborne from 1989-1994. During that period the Cornhuskers ran up a 60-11 record, with four conference rings and one national championship.

Steele got his first and only shot at head coaching with the Baylor Bears. From 1999-2002 his teams combined for 9 wins.

More recently, Steele was the defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers from 2009-11. In the 2010 season his defense led the ACC in scoring, ranking 13th nationally.

That number took a tumble to 81st the following season in 2011. Following a 70-33 beat down in the Orange Bowl (one that Clemson fans yesterday were citing as the reason that Tigers fans should be worried about the hire) at the hands of West Virginia, Steele was dumped by Clemson.

Jan 4, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and head coach Dabo Swinney react to a touchdown by the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2012 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

He immediately returned to Alabama as the director of player personnel and then linebackers coach. The 2012 season led to Steele’s second ring, featuring the Crimson Tide’s BCS Championship dismantling of Notre Dame.

Perhaps the most important aspect os Steele’s resume is his recruiting stature.

Rivals rated him as the #10 overall recruiter from 2002-11, a span during which he was named Rivals top overall recruiter in 2005.

John Chavis leaving is a blow to the Tigers, as he is generally considered on of the top coordinators in the country. LSU, however, has historically fielded great defenses, with the consistent factor being athletes more so than one particular scheme.

More from LSU Tigers

• LSU Football: We’ve been saying it all along, LSU deserves to be No. 1
• LSU Football: Betting guide for the SEC Championship vs. Georgia
• LSU Football: It’s outrageous if LSU isn’t ranked first after beating Georgia
• LSU Football: Who gets in the playoff if LSU beats Georgia?
• LSU Football: A loss to Georgia shouldn’t stop College Football Playoff bid

If Steele is able to convince a few more 4 and 5-Star athletic recruits to take their talents to Baton Rouge over Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, or Athens, then the hire will have considerable value for the program.

The Tigers could use the recruiting help, as they currently rank #17 on Rivals and #13 on ESPN’s class rankings. Signing Day is less than a month away and LSU’s class is small, with just 16 signed players.

Steele could contribute early with some spirited closing pitches to undecided recruits. Alabama ranks as the top class this year and the Mississippi schools are getting more attention than ever.

If LSU hopes to keep up in the brutal SEC West they have to win in February, as well as in September.

While the hire might not feature a headline name, Tiger fans shouldn’t get sick just yet. His impact will be obvious these next three weeks as the final days of recruiting play out.

One thing that is certain above all else: despite his historically “up and down” resume, Tigers fans are hoping that Steele carries over the success that he had most recently during his stint with the Crimson Tide.