Steele becomes Clemson's defensive coordinator

CLEMSON — Unofficially, Kevin Steele has been the Clemson defensive coordinator for almost a week.

Officially, Steele got the job this afternoon.

Most recently, Steele was the associate head coach/head defensive coach at Alabama. Steele, who has been on the Clemson campus for the past week, agreed to become the Tigers defensive coordinator after Alabama's 31-17 loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl.

The Dillon native replaces Vic Koenning, who left to become the co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State. Along with being defensive coordinator, Steele will coach the Tigers linebackers.

To make room for Steele on the Clemson coaching staff, Ron West, the Tigers' defensive end/outside linebackers coach will be moved to an "administrative" role, a source has confirmed. However, West is a candidate for the defensive coordinator's job at Tulsa and might be leaving in the next couple of weeks.

David Blackwell, who has coached the Tigers linebackers for the past six seasons, will coach the Tigers defensive line, a position he coached at Illinois State earlier in his career.

"Kevin Steele is one of the most respected coaches in the nation," said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. "He has served under Hall of Fame head coaches who have won national championships and also has experience in the NFL. He has also been ranked as the number-one recruiter in the nation and has coached in eight BCS level bowl games. He has recruited this state for many years and is respected by the high school coaches of South Carolina. He is a perfect fit for this staff."

Steele, who was the head coach at Baylor from 1999-2002, has coached at Tennessee, Florida, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. Steele was also a linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers.

"I am very excited to join Dabo Swinney's staff at Clemson," said Steele. "It feels great to return to the state of South Carolina. I have recruited this state for many years and feel at home in this area. Clemson has an outstanding tradition and I am excited about the opportunity to work for Coach Swinney who is one of the bright young coaches in the game."

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis had been interviewed for the job as well in December. Chavis, also a native of Dillon, took the defensive coordinators position at LSU two weeks ago.