Nick Saban put the University of Alabama’s defense in the hands of an old friend in 2023 after the Pete Golding experience failed.
Kevin Steele honored Saban by bringing a level of respect back to the Crimson Tide.
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The 65-year-old restored toughness, grit, competitiveness, and aggression to the Tide — propelling it to dethrone a two-time defending College Football Playoff National Champion in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
Steele returned Alabama to the CFP and did what he needed to do to get old school Tide back.
He enters retirement without a national title; however, Steele served his role and someone new has an opportunity to pick up where he left off and elevate it. Alabama fans have several names they would love to see replace Steele.
Jeremy Pruitt, who is serving a six-year show cause for recruiting violations at the University of Tennessee, continues to get consideration from fans. Glenn Schumann, Georgia’s defensive coordinator, started his career under Saban as a graduate assistant. Tide nation would love to have him back.
Some would not mind removing Charlie Strong from his analyst role and making him the defensive play-caller.
We even have a small group of fans advocating for Saban to hire Bill Belichick for the defense.
Schumann and Strong would make sense, but Travaris Robinson is the go-to move for defensive coordinator. He is respected by the players, especially those in the defensive secondary. Robinson elevated Kool-Aid McKinstry to be a projected first-round NFL Draft pick and has pro scouts in love with Terrion Arnold. He could have two cornerbacks go in the first round in April.
Robinson molded Caleb Downs, a former five-star, to have an impressive freshman season.
Downs became the first freshman defensive back to 100+ tackles in the Saban era for a single season. He recorded 107 total tackles (70 solo stops), 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions. Downs, a native Georgian, earned SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Newcomer of the Year from the Associated Press, and first-team All-SEC for his efforts in 2023.
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Robinson assisted Malachi Moore to a bounce back year.
Moore had 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass breakup, a quarterback hurry, and an interception. Robinson coached Alabama’s secondary to 10 interceptions, including five from Terrion Arnold. The 42-year-old has experience as a coordinator, calling plays at South Carolina from 2016 to 2020. He also helped Coach Steele coordinator the Tide’s defense last season.
Robinson is a great recruiter, teacher, developer, and coach. He is the ideal choice to elevate to DC while having him continue to develop defensive backs. We will see what decision Saban makes, but Robinson is the move if he choses to promote from within.
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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.
