Alabama Football: Delusional Auburn fans and Kevin Steele

At times, the Alabama football fanbase has some delusional fans. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that on a few occasions, I have been one of them. But, no fanbase does delusional so frequently and so deeply as that of the Auburn Tigers.

The latest example is the response of Auburn fans to the Crimson Tide’s new Defensive Coordinator, Kevin Steele. While not Shakespearian ‘Sound and Fury’ the demeaning of Steele does, as Merriam-Webster defines the phrase, “nothing useful.”

Auburn fans are defining Kevin Steele as a coup leader. To an extent, they are accurate. There was a coup in Auburn that led to the firing of Gus Malzahn. Instead of guessing the true ringleaders, let’s just say the ‘powers that be’ in Auburn, and Kevin Steele was not one of them, wanted Gus gone. It has been rumored most of them wanted Kevin Steele hired as Malzahn’s successor. If Kevin Steele is guilty of anything while in Auburn, it was he bought into the plan.

But the Auburn coup was only half a success. An Auburn President and an Auburn AD skipped over Steele and hired Bryan Harsin instead. When the next Auburn coup rolled around; the one to run off Harsin, Kevin Steele was long gone from the Plains.

Kevin Steele never received enough credit for how tough he made Auburn defenses, as Malzahn’s Defensive Coordinator. Auburn regressed under Malzahn after his first season in 2013. Once Malzahn’s gimmicky offense was limited with rule changes (giving defenses time to substitute) and officiating (more attention to offensive linemen downfield on passing plays). Malzahn did not adjust, despite the downside to Auburn’s defenses from too much reliance on Gus’ ‘fastball’ offense.

Defensive Coordinators have a short shelf life in Auburn. Malzah’s first one, Ellis Johnson lasted two seasons. Will Muschamp left after one, as did Derek Mason. Jeff Schmedding was around for one season. In the middle of those seasons of Auburn’s revolving door, Kevin Steele spent five seasons as Malzahn’s DC. Steele’s defenses were mostly in the range of respectable to quite good. Malzahn, not Steele was the main reason the Tigers lost 22 games in the 2016 through 2020 seasons.

Auburn fans worried about 2023 Alabama Football Defense?

The question Auburn fans should answer is why are they so willing to label Kevin Steele a retread. Are they worried, that as a competent coach, who has reason to harbor some vengeance against the Tigers, Steele will exact a pound of flesh from Hugh Freeze’s offense?

Note: Auburn team records from Sports Reference

One thing is sure. Auburn’s distaste for Kevin Steele unites more Alabama football fans behind the coach.