For a second straight season, LSU has lost its defensive coordinator to an SEC rival.
Following its Birmingham Bowl win over Memphis, Auburn announced that it has hired Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator. Steele replaces Will Muschamp, who left Auburn to become the head coach at South Carolina.
"We're extremely excited to have a guy with his experience, his character, his work ethic," head coach Gus Malzahn said. "He'll fit in very well. He's going to take over a very talented group."
Steele just finished his first season at LSU, where he replaced John Chavis following his departure to Texas A&M.
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According to The Advocate, LSU did not want to get into a “bidding war” to keep Steele.
Auburn and Steele’s negotiations - days old - went beyond money, multiple sources confirmed, and LSU declined to get into a “bidding war” with Auburn for Steele. Alabama’s state retirement played a role in the deal with the 57-year old.
Steele was nearing the completion of the first of a two-year contract with the Tigers paying him $1 million a year - ninth-most among college assistants, according to USA Today.
A high-placed source on the LSU football staff said the Tigers wanted to keep Steele and were, at least at first, attempting to work out a deal to retain the first-year coordinator.
Under Steele, LSU was fifth in the SEC and 27th nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 347.2 yards per game.
Before his lone season at LSU, Steele had stints as defensive coordinator at Alabama and Clemson. He was also an assistant at Florida State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, New Mexico State and with the Carolina Panthers. He also spent four years as Baylor’s head coach from 1999-2002.
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
