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Report: Kevin Steele bails on Maryland, taking job in ACC
Published:
One of the biggest offseason hires in the B1G appears to have fizzled out. Kevin Steele is apparently headed to the ACC instead of joining Mike Locksley’s staff at Maryland.
Steele was reportedly working on a deal with Maryland to become the next defensive coordinator for the Terrapins. However, ESPN’s Chris Low is reporting that Mario Cristobal swooped in and Steele has now signed a deal to take the defensive coordinator position at Miami.
Per Low, Steele and Maryland were in the process of finalizing a deal when Miami came calling. That means the Terrapins will likely be looking for a new DC.
Kevin Steele has signed a deal to become @CanesFootball’s defensive coordinator, sources tell ESPN. Steele had been pursued by @TerpsFootball and the two sides were in the process of trying to finalize a deal last week, but Mario Cristobal has locked up Steele to be Miami’s DC.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 1, 2022
Steele did not coach during the 2021 season. He was most recently the defensive coordinator at Auburn, where he was on Gus Malzahn’s staff from 2016-2020.
Steele has also had stops at LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, Clemson, Nebraska as an assistant coach. From 1999-2002 he was the head coach at Baylor.
Maryland’s defense struggled mightily during the 2021 season. The Terrapins ranked 13th in the B1G in scoring defense and passing defense, 12th in total defense and 11th in run defense. Thanks to an explosive offense, Locksley’s team was still able to finish the year 7-6, defeating Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl to secure a winning record.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB