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Steele comes to Alabama from Florida State
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
It didn't take new Alabama coach Nick Saban long to begin assembling his coaching staff.
Saban, who abruptly left the Miami Dolphins to become the Crimson Tide's new coach on Wednesday, hired Florida State executive head coach/linebackers coach Kevin Steele as Alabama's defensive coordinator. Steele, a former head coach at Baylor, tendered his resignation to Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden on Thursday.
Saban also has targeted LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher to run the Tide's offense, sources close to the situation said Wednesday. Fisher, among the country's highest-paid assistants, also is the leading candidate to replace Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, who resigned in November.
At a Thursday news conference in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saban also confirmed the hiring of Central Florida assistant Lance Thompson, who was demoted from defensive coordinator after the Golden Knights finished 4-8 this past season.
Thompson was LSU's assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach when Saban guided the Tigers to the 2003 BCS national title. Thompson also worked as an assistant at Georgia Tech and Alabama.
Steele, who worked the last four seasons at Florida State, also coached linebackers for the NFL's Carolina Panters for four years and previously worked as an assistant at Nebraska, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and New Mexico State.
Steele, whose parents live in Tuscaloosa, Ala., is regarded among the country's top recruiters and coached star linebackers Ernie Sims Jr. and Buster Davis at Florida State.
"It was a surprise and yet I can understand why with his Mom and Dad being right close in Tuscaloosa," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the school on Thursday. "I can understand him wanting to be close to family and having a chance like that.
"He's done an excellent job at Florida State. He's worked great with Mickey Andrews and our defensive staff. He's done an excellent job in recruiting and has been a great asset to our program. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family."
Steele comes to Alabama from Florida State
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
It didn't take new Alabama coach Nick Saban long to begin assembling his coaching staff.
Saban, who abruptly left the Miami Dolphins to become the Crimson Tide's new coach on Wednesday, hired Florida State executive head coach/linebackers coach Kevin Steele as Alabama's defensive coordinator. Steele, a former head coach at Baylor, tendered his resignation to Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden on Thursday.
Saban also has targeted LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher to run the Tide's offense, sources close to the situation said Wednesday. Fisher, among the country's highest-paid assistants, also is the leading candidate to replace Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, who resigned in November.
At a Thursday news conference in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saban also confirmed the hiring of Central Florida assistant Lance Thompson, who was demoted from defensive coordinator after the Golden Knights finished 4-8 this past season.
Thompson was LSU's assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach when Saban guided the Tigers to the 2003 BCS national title. Thompson also worked as an assistant at Georgia Tech and Alabama.
Steele, who worked the last four seasons at Florida State, also coached linebackers for the NFL's Carolina Panters for four years and previously worked as an assistant at Nebraska, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and New Mexico State.
Steele, whose parents live in Tuscaloosa, Ala., is regarded among the country's top recruiters and coached star linebackers Ernie Sims Jr. and Buster Davis at Florida State.
"It was a surprise and yet I can understand why with his Mom and Dad being right close in Tuscaloosa," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the school on Thursday. "I can understand him wanting to be close to family and having a chance like that.
"He's done an excellent job at Florida State. He's worked great with Mickey Andrews and our defensive staff. He's done an excellent job in recruiting and has been a great asset to our program. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family."
