Kevin Steele, who took over as Alabama’s defensive coordinator in the 2023 season, is retiring, per a report from ESPN’s Chris Low. This was his third stint with Coach Nick Saban.

Steele was hired pre-season to replace Pete Golding, who left for the same position with Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Golding held the defensive coordinator role in since 2018.

Steele was Saban’s first defensive coordinator at Alabama in 2007 before heading to Clemson in 2009 and returning for a second stint in 2013. He also served as Auburn’s defensive coordinator for five seasons between 2016-2020.

While defensive statistics reflected similar numbers to Golding’s defenses in yards and points per game allowed, it’s recognized that the defense improved under Steele.

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Last season, Alabama suffered losses due to its defense being incapable of making stops, but the script flipped this season and the defense performed at its peak this season — that is — until the final four minutes of the Rose Bowl.

Holding Georgia below 80 rushing yards, holding LSU’s prolific offense below 30 points, holding Tennessee scoreless in the second half, and countless other examples as to the defense proving strong under Steele just recently.

Steele’s retirement marks the third staff departure for Alabama this offseason that Nick Saban will have to replace, joining outside linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler (now defensive coordinator at Mississippi State), and wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins (co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Texas A&M).

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP