During the Kalen DeBoer changeover, the Alabama assistant football coach from Nick Saban helped keep the team’s five-star defense.

As the Alabama Crimson Tide football program enters the 2025 season under new leadership with Kalen DeBoer at the helm, the transition away from the long-tenured and legendary head coach Nick Saban has been one of the most significant shifts in college football in recent years. Saban’s departure marks the end of an era that defined Alabama football for over a decade, bringing with it a blend of excitement and uncertainty for the future. However, one constant throughout the transition has been the Alabama defense, a unit that has long been the backbone of the program’s success.

While the head coach is new, the Alabama defense has remained largely intact, primarily thanks to the efforts of Kevin Steele, a long-time defensive coordinator who served under Saban. Steele, who has been a critical figure in maintaining Alabama’s elite status on defense, has been instrumental in preserving the five-star talent that the program has accumulated on that side of the ball. As DeBoer has taken over the offensive reins of the team, Steele has ensured that the defense has stayed true to its dominant roots, securing the team’s identity as one of the toughest defensive units in the country.

In this piece, we will dive into how Kevin Steele played a pivotal role in maintaining Alabama’s defensive dominance during the coaching transition, the continuity he provided through the changeover, and how his leadership and experience have shaped the team’s defense for the upcoming 2025 season.

The Impact of Nick Saban’s Departure on Alabama Football

For over 15 years, Nick Saban was synonymous with success at Alabama. Under Saban, the program won six national championships, produced countless NFL draft picks, and developed a culture of hard-nosed, defensive-minded football. Alabama was, and still is, known for its ability to dominate games on both sides of the ball, but particularly with its defense. Saban’s expertise in developing elite defenses became the hallmark of his tenure, setting a standard that many college football programs strive to match.

When Kalen DeBoer was hired to replace Saban, there was a natural wave of speculation and uncertainty. Would Alabama’s dominance continue? Could the program keep its five-star talent and maintain the level of performance that Saban had established, particularly on the defensive side of the ball?

The question was especially poignant on defense, as Alabama had built its identity around suffocating opposing offenses with physicality, speed, and intelligence. The roster still boasted players like Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, who had been recruited during Saban’s tenure and had the potential to be future NFL stars. Losing Saban, with his defensive pedigree, could have shaken the foundation of what had made Alabama football so formidable.

However, Kevin Steele, a veteran defensive mind who had worked alongside Saban in various capacities, was ready to step up and ensure continuity during this transitional period. Steele, who had spent time as Alabama’s defensive coordinator in the past and had a wealth of experience coaching at major programs like Auburn, LSU, and Miami, was trusted by both the administration and players to preserve the defensive integrity of the program.

Kevin Steele’s Role as Defensive Coordinator

When Kalen DeBoer took over as head coach, one of his first major decisions was keeping Kevin Steele on board as the defensive coordinator. This decision turned out to be vital, as Steele’s familiarity with Alabama’s culture, recruiting base, and the Xs and Os of elite defensive play was invaluable during the coaching transition. Steele was the glue that helped the defense remain one of the nation’s best units, and his ability to maintain the team’s standards allowed the program to hit the ground running in 2025.

Steele had an immediate impact on the defensive players, ensuring they were well-prepared for the challenges of the new season. His vast knowledge and leadership helped Alabama retain its elite five-star recruits on defense, and his reputation as a defensive mastermind kept the defense’s collective confidence high. Players like Dallas Turner, Jihaad Campbell, and Jaheim Oatis remained committed to Alabama’s vision, knowing that Steele would continue to run a scheme that would allow them to showcase their talents and continue to develop for the next level.

The Importance of Continuity for Alabama’s Five-Star Defense

One of the most significant challenges during any coaching change is maintaining continuity, especially when it comes to the defense. In college football, successful defensive units require not just talent, but also cohesion and familiarity with the scheme. Defensive players need to understand the intricacies of the playbook, as well as the expectations and philosophies of the coaching staff. Without this continuity, there can be a lag in performance, particularly for a defense as complex as Alabama’s.

Kevin Steele’s presence was crucial in ensuring that the defensive players did not experience this disruption. He had already built a strong rapport with the players from his previous tenure with the team, and his deep understanding of the defensive schemes under Saban allowed him to continue running the same system. While Kalen DeBoer’s influence was certainly felt on the offensive side of the ball, Steele was given full autonomy to run the defense as he saw fit, providing the players with a sense of stability and confidence.

This continuity allowed Alabama to retain its identity as a defensive powerhouse. The defense didn’t need to go through a rebuilding phase or experience the turmoil that often accompanies a coaching change. Steele kept the unit focused on its goals, with an emphasis on fundamentals, physicality, and high-level execution. The players knew that the coaching change wouldn’t impact their ability to thrive on defense, and as a result, they were able to continue their development without missing a beat.

How Steele Kept Five-Star Players at Alabama

One of the biggest challenges for any coaching staff during a changeover is keeping top-tier recruits and ensuring the team remains competitive. Alabama had already assembled one of the most talented defenses in the nation, with players like Dallas Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Jihaad Campbell, and Jaheim Oatis, among others, all possessing first-round NFL potential.

The players who committed to Alabama had done so because of the opportunity to play under the program’s legendary defense and its defensive guru, Nick Saban. When Saban left, it wasn’t just the coaching staff that was affected—it was also the recruits who had pledged to play for him. Yet, thanks to Kevin Steele’s leadership, many of these five-star players chose to stay with Alabama, trusting Steele’s ability to continue developing them into top-tier talent.

Steele’s approach was simple: he made sure the players knew that their goals would not be hindered by the coaching change. He emphasized his commitment to their personal development and their future in the NFL. His reputation as a recruiter and defensive coach ensured that he maintained those vital connections, and his ability to speak to recruits about their future prospects in the NFL, within the system Steele had established, proved to be a major selling point.

Furthermore, Steele emphasized that while the program was undergoing some changes, the fundamentals of Alabama football would remain unchanged. This continuity in philosophy and emphasis on elite defensive play kept the players focused and motivated, ultimately allowing them to make a seamless transition into 2025.

The Strength of Alabama’s Defense in 2025

As Alabama enters the 2025 season, the defense remains the team’s biggest strength. While the offense is under a new coaching staff and a new quarterback likely leads the charge, the defense remains poised to be one of the most feared units in the country. Much of this is due to the leadership of Kevin Steele, who has kept the defensive unit playing at a high level through the transition.

With players like Dallas Turner, a Heisman-caliber pass rusher, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, one of the best cornerbacks in the country, Alabama’s defense in 2025 has all the pieces necessary to be dominant. Steele’s schemes have allowed these players to shine, and his focus on developing future NFL talent ensures that the defensive unit is always prepared for the next level.

The depth of talent on the defensive side of the ball is also remarkable. Whether it’s the defensive line, the linebackers, or the secondary, Alabama’s defense is built to impose its will on opponents. Steele has fostered a mentality of toughness, discipline, and unrelenting pressure that has become synonymous with Alabama football.