For the first time since 2018, Alabama will have a new coach manning the defensive playcalling as Kevin Steele replaced Pete Golding after his departure to Ole Miss.
Steele will be a new voice to this group but has been a part of Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide staff in the past and is now looking to return the defense to its old ways.
Just on face value alone, there are some noticeable differences between Golding and Steele. Figuring out the difference from a coaching standpoint will remain to be seen by the public this fall, but his players are already picking up on a few things.
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Linebacker Dallas Turner shared what he’s noticed about the transition from Golding to Steele during his speaking availability at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
“They’re both very good defensive coordinators,” Turner said. “I’ll say that first and foremost. Kevin Steele, has more experience, I would say that. With Alabama, he understands the standard, he knows what we supposed to be doing as a defense. Being under Coach Saban, just being there for a long time.
“Also, he’s been a defensive coordinator for a long time, just been in the game for a very long time, as well.”
Steele brings over 40 years of coaching experience to his third stint with the Crimson Tide and already had some relationships with a few defenders prior to his return. While he was a defensive coordinator at Auburn from 2016-20, Steele was involved heavily with the recruitment of defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry who ended up signing with Alabama.
But McKinstry hasn’t forgotten about his interactions with Steele and kept a great relationship with the 65-year-old.
“When Coach Steele was at Auburn, he recruited me very hard. Going back to the relationship we had, we had a great relationship when he was recruiting me at Auburn. For us to run cross paths here at Bama was very exciting.”
Steele’s added experience with the Crimson Tide is something head coach Nick Saban values as he also continues to integrate new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees who he also holds in very high regard.
“I’m really pleased with the two new coordinators that we have,” Saban said. “Kevin Steele obviously has been with us before, so he understands the program and the expectation. Tommy Rees is one of the brightest young guys that I’ve seen in a long time in this business and he’s been a great addition and brought a lot of positives to the offensive side of the ball in terms of his ideas and how he related to players, how he presents to players, his energy and enthusiasm on the field has been contagious.
“I think I see a great trust in our players with Tommy and what he tries to do from a leadership standpoint on offense.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
