Kevin Steele (born May 17, 1958, in Dillon, South Carolina) is an American football coach. He currently serves as the associate head coach and head defensive coach at the University of Alabama, promoted by Nick Saban in February 2008. He served as Alabama's defensive coordinator in the 2007 season.

Playing career

Steele played three seasons of collegiate football as a linebacker. He spent his freshman year at Furman University before transferring to Tennessee, where he was a member of Johnny Majors' 1978 and 1979 squads.

Coaching career

Career as an Assistant

From 1989-94, Steele coached the linebackers under Nebraska legend Tom Osborne. During his six years in Lincoln, the Cornhuskers went 60-11, appeared in six bowl games, won four conference championships and captured the 1994 national championship with a 13-0 record. He has also served as an assistant coach at the Florida State University, University of Tennessee, Oklahoma State University and New Mexico State University. January 4, 2007 found Steele being hired by new Alabama coach Nick Saban as defensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide.

NFL years

In 1995, Steele made the jump to the NFL as the linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers. Under head coach Dom Capers, the Panthers reached the NFC Championship Game in their second season (1996).

A well publicized moment occurred during Steele's last year in Carolina. Linebacker Kevin Greene attacked Steele during a heated discussion, grabbing the coach by his clothing. The incident was captured on live television. Steele did not retaliate.

"Football is an emotional, aggressive game," Steele said. "Those guys are out there fighting. Kevin is a good person. We've talked about it and worked it out. That's all I have to say about it.

Head coaching career

Steele was the head coach at Baylor University from 1999 to 2002. Steele compiled a record of only 9-36 (1-31 in the Big 12 conference). Steele was succeeded by recently ousted coach Guy Morriss.

During his first season as head coach (1999), Steele's Baylor team was involved in what ESPN.com called one of the top 10 worst coaching decisions, in 1999, when he chose a running play rather than a kneel down with his team leading and possessing the ball in the game's final 12 seconds and the opponent (UNLV) out of timeouts. The ensuing Baylor fumble and UNLV return for a touchdown gave the Rebels a shocking win.

Head Coaching Record

Family

Steele is a native of Dillon, South Carolina. He and his wife, Linda, have an 18-year-old son (Gordon) and a 16-year-old daughter (Caroline).

References

External links

• Kevin Steele bio at RollTide.com