LSU’s Kevin Steele jumps into mix for Auburn’s open defensive

LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is headed to Auburn to assume the same role, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn announced Wednesday. “I think he will fit in very good and he’s taking over a really talented group”.

After losing John Chavis to Texas A&M, the Tigers learned today Kevin Steele will leave for the same position at another SEC West rival, Auburn.

According to an ESPN.com report, Auburn had come to an agreement “barring a late snag” with LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

He got his start as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1980 and spent three season there. His time as a defensive coordinator includes stops at Alabama, Clemson and LSU.

At LSU, Steele had the No. 27 total defense with a roster full of future National Football League players and was No. 42 in scoring defense.

Steele will be the Auburn’s fifth defensive coordinator in the last six years and will replace Will Muschamp after he left Auburn following less than one season to become South Carolina’s new head coach on December 6. “I want to thank Coach Malzahn for the opportunity to join his staff at Auburn and return to the state of Alabama”.

A report by The Advocate in Baton Rouge stated Steele’s contract will require LSU to be paid a buyout of approximately $500,000 for not honoring his two-year deal with the school.

Steele’s daughter, Caroline, graduated from Auburn in 2011 and his brother, Jeff, is the associate athletics director for facilities and operations at Auburn. He’s been in the Plains since 2005 and in his current position since 2006.