Confirmed: UM hiring major-college veteran Kevin Steele as new defensive coordinator
On the eve of national signing day, University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal pulled in a college coach with plenty of big-time experience as his new defensive coordinator.
The Miami Herald on Tuesday confirmed multiple reports that Kevin Steele, 63, who last served as defensive coordinator at Auburn from 2016 to 2020 and knows Cristobal from when they were both assistants at Alabama, is coming to Coral Gables.
Steele reportedly had been set to become the defensive coordinator at Maryland.
Steele also was the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at LSU in 2015, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Clemson from 2009-2011 and was at Alabama for a second stint in 2103 (director of player personnel) and 2014 (linebackers) and before that in 2007 (defensive coordinator) and 2008 (linebackers).
Among several other major stops, he was the linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers from 1995-1998, linebackers coach at Nebraska from 1989-94 (when the Cornhuskers went 60-11) and coached at Tennessee (linebackers, defensive backs, graduate assistant).
In 2017, Steele was named a finalist for the Broyes Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in college football. That year, Auburn was 14th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense, allowing 4.67 yards per play.
His head-coaching career wasn’t as successful. Steele coached Baylor to a 9-36 record from 1999 to 2002.
UM’s biggest target Wednesday on signing day is five-star Miami Monsignor Pace defensive end Shemar Stewart, who is heavily considering the Hurricanes and Texas A&M, and has said he wanted to know who the next UM defensive coordinator would be before being confident with choosing the Canes.
Previously, former Miami head coach Manny Diaz, now the linebackers coach at Penn State, served as UM’s defensive coordinator.
The Hurricanes need to replace defensive line starters Zach McCloud and Deandre Johnson at end and tackles Nesta Silvera and Jon Ford. Starting striker Amari Carter also has departed.
Last season, the Hurricanes (7-5) finished 75th of 130 FBS teams in total defense, allowing 389.6 yards a game. They were 82nd in scoring defense (28.2 points a game allowed); 44th in rushing defense (139 yards); and 102nd in passing yards allowed (250.6).
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 7:15 PM.
