Warchant.com - Steele leaving FSU for Alabama

January 4, 2007

Gene Williams (Dot Com)
Warchant.com Publisher

First reported on the Tribal Council and sent to Warchant.com subscribers via Text Message.

Shortly after he joined Florida State's staff in 2003 there has been one job opportunity after another for Kevin Steele. The Seminoles' Executive Head Coach and Linebackers Coach turned all of them down, even some that would have put him back in the NFL and dramatically increased his salary.

That changed on Thursday. Warchant.com has confirmed that Steele accepted an offer to join Nick Saban's staff with Alabama.

In the past, the 48-year old coach resisted other job offers because he had two children in high school in Tallahassee. However, his son has since graduated and his daughter is set to graduate this spring.

In addition to an undisclosed increase in salary, Steele will be promoted to a defensive coordinator position with the Crimson Tide.

During his four-year tenure at Florida State, Steele developed several talented linebackers including 2006 top 10 draft pick Ernie Sims, and future NFLers Buster Davis and Lawrence Timmons. He also earned a reputation as an outstanding recruiter earning Rivals.com's National Recruiter of the Year in February of 2005 for his efforts in helping FSU secure a top signing class.

Even before Steele's decision, there was rampant speculation that former NC State head coach Chuck Amato, who coached at FSU from 1982-99, would be returning to Tallahassee. With Steele's departure, the possibility of Amato coming back is probably even stronger.

Florida State Sports Information Director Rob Wilson confirmed that coach Steele has resigned and is headed to Alabama. He informed Bobby Bowden of intentions this morning. Steele will issue a release through FSU later today.

Gene Williams is the founder and administrator of Warchant.com and writes stories and features covering all of FSU's sports with an emphasis on football and football recruiting. During football season, he hosts a weekly sports radio show in Tallahassee on NewsRadio 1270 WFLA, and appears as a weekly guest on 1460 ESPN Radio in Jacksonville. Williams is also a former ACC correspondent for College Football News (weekly national newspaper), and contributes to The Osceola. Story about Gene Williams & Warchant.com.