Did the University of Alabama football program gain a two for one deal with Kevin Steele?
It has a defensive-minded guru in the 65-year-old, but it looks like Alabama may have something more.
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Terrion Arnold, a third-year defensive back, spoke Thursday to reporters. He shared a quality Steele has that equals the Crimson Tide’s former director of strength and conditioning. Scott Cochran was on Alabama’s coaching staff from 2007 to 2019.
“The guy has a crazy voice,” Arnold said about Steele.
“He gets us going. When he gets riled up, he really gets you excited and in the mood to play.”
Former Tide players said the same thing about Cochran’s voice. The booming sound from the speaker system during games, the loud man running around the field at practice, and the enforcer in the weight room was Cochran motivating guys. His style pushed Alabama to three BCS National Championships (2009, 2011, and 2012) and two College Football Playoff National Championships in 2015 and 2017. Arnold feels the same energy in Steele that former players experienced with Cochran.
Chris Braswell, an outside linebacker, is in his fourth year at Alabama.
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He said Steele has been on this year’s team about discipline.
“He’s been on us about focusing on having the little things right,” Braswell said. “He wants us to finish at the line and create turnovers. All the little things that matter is what he’s focused on.”
Steele is a perfectionist, according to Braswell and Arnold. Alabama’s defense needed someone like Steele running it, especially with the mental mistakes in the last few years. He brings an energy like Cochran and attention to detail like Saban.
The Tide’s defense will be sight to behold once the season starts.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
