Both Brent Hubbs (via Volquest $) and Jimmy Hyams are reporting that Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will join the Vols' staff under Derek Dooley in the same capacity. This is one most Vol fans will get on board with - Steele has Tennessee ties, playing and coaching in Knoxville under Johnny Majors. After serving as the head coach at Baylor from 1999-2002, Steele was an assistant coach at Florida State before becoming Alabama's defensive coordinator in 2007-08, and Clemson's last season.
This makes another familiar face for Lance Thompson, and fills another hole on the staff. Steele's national numbers the last three seasons:
- 2009 Clemson: 24th scoring def, 67th rush def, 7th pass def, 20th total def
- 2009 Tennessee: 37th scoring def, 65th rush def, 12th pass def, 22nd total def
- 2008 Alabama: 7th scoring def, 2nd rush def, 30th pass def, 3rd total def
- 2007 Alabama: 27th scoring def, 27th rush def, 48th pass def, 31st total def
Derek Dooley gets another thumbs up on this one. Well done.