Larger role drew Steele to Clemson

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Larger role drew Steele to Clemson

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

By GENTRY ESTES

Times Alabama Writer gentry.estes@htimes.com

Coach has more responsibility than under Saban

TUSCALOOSA - Departed Alabama defensive head coach Kevin Steele returned to the Crimson Tide's football complex Monday to collect items and hold a sit-down with head coach Nick Saban.

Steele said there were no hard feelings.

"Football-wise, we have conversed and been in contact for 25 years, Xs and Os-wise," Steele said of Saban, "and will continue to be."

In his first interview since August, Steele shed light Monday on the circumstances and reasons behind his leaving Alabama after two seasons to become defensive coordinator for new Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson officially announced Steele's hiring Friday, but a deal was in place before Alabama lost to Utah in the Sugar Bowl, according to Steele. Discussions with Swinney were held from New Orleans while the Crimson Tide's team was preparing for the game.

"Technically, it really was not done until the morning after the bowl game," Steele said. "But from (Swinney) having a good understanding of what I wanted to do and from me having an understanding of what he wanted to do, I would say maybe toward the end of the week of bowl week (it was a done deal)."

At Clemson, Steele will have control over the Tigers' defense, while Saban obviously calls the shots for the Crimson Tide.

"It was time to move on," Steele said. "Time to move out of the house and get on your own."

Swinney contacted Saban about permission to formally approach Steele during Alabama's on-site bowl preparations. But before that, Steele and Clemson's head coach shared what Steele called a "happenstance" encounter while their families were shopping on Christmas Eve in Birmingham, where Swinney has family ties.

In Steele's words, that meeting was "divine intervention."

All along, Steele had been well-versed on Clemson's opening because his "best friend" John Chavis, the former Tennessee defensive coordinator, had interviewed for the position. Steele said he wouldn't move on anything while Chavis' name was in play. But while in New Orleans, Steele learned that Chavis would be accepting the coordinator job at LSU.

Steele called his South Carolina roots a "huge factor" in his decision. He originally hails from Dillon, S.C., and his mother-in-law still lives there. As for Saban, Steele referred to him as, "probably the best defensive mind that I've ever been around."

"I just felt in my heart that it was the right place at the right time for my family and I to be a part of the Clemson program, and it was nothing about Alabama," Steele said. "Great program, great situation, but it just felt right in my heart."

Saban has not commented on how he will fill Steele's position. Kirby Smart already serves as defensive coordinator.

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