LSU hires Alabama LB coach Kevin Steele to be its defensive coordinator

Two weeks after John Chavis left LSU for Texas A&M, the Tigers have a new defensive coordinator.

The program announced Tuesday night that head coach Les Miles has hired Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele to replace Chavis.

The 56-year-old Steele has spent the last two seasons with the Crimson Tide as director of player personnel in 2013 and as linebackers coach in 2014. Previously, Steele was the defensive coordinator at Clemson from 2009-2012 and at Alabama in 2007.

Additionally, Steele served as the head coach Baylor from 1999-2002 and has had other stops as an assistant at Florida State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Oklahoma and New Mexico State. He also coached linebackers with the Carolina Panthers from 1995-98.

"This is a great hire for us," Miles said in a statement. "Kevin has had a very successful coaching career, one that has seen him coach alongside some of the top coaches in the game. He won a national title with Tom Osborne at Nebraska, coached with Bobby Bowden at Florida State, and coached in the NFL with one of the great defensive coaches in Dom Capers.

"He has a great defensive mind and he's an outstanding recruiter. He knows our players and our system and his knowledge of the SEC and the SEC Western Division makes him a great fit. We are very excited that Kevin will be joining our staff."

LSU ranked ninth nationally this season in total defensive, giving up an average of 316.8 yards per game. The Tigers were also fifth in scoring defense (17.5 points allowed per game).

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and LSU defensive line coach Brick Haley all reportedly spoke with Miles about the opening. 

For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.

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