University of Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele accepted Alabama’s offer to become defensive coordinator, ESPN reported Sunday evening.

Steele, 64, is a veteran SEC defensive coordinator who will join Saban’s staff in Tuscaloosa for the third time. He was Saban’s first defensive coordinator at Alabama in 2007.

Alabama’s defensive coordinator job was open after Pete Golding left for Ole Miss last month, which Rebels coach Lane Kiffin attributed in part last week to “some family things” for Golding.

Steele’s first tenure as defensive coordinator for Saban ended after one season when Kirby Smart was promoted to that position in 2008. Steele spent that season coaching inside linebackers before leaving for Clemson. He returned to Alabama in 2013 in an off-field personnel role, then served as linebackers coach in 2014.

Steele later spent five seasons (2016-20) as Auburn’s defensive coordinator and served as its interim head coach for the Citrus Bowl after the firing of Gus Malzahn. He spent the 2022 season as defensive coordinator for Miami under former Saban assistant Mario Cristobal.

The Hurricanes’ defense finished last season tied for 67th among 131 FBS teams in allowing 26.8 points per game. It finished 65th in allowing 376.5 yards per game.

In addition to Golding, who coached inside linebackers, Alabama also lost its safeties coach, Charles Kelly, to Colorado this offseason. Most of Steele’s coaching experience has involved linebackers. Alabama reportedly hired former Southern Miss defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong last month, but has not yet announced his position responsibility on its defensive staff. Armstrong’s background also involves linebackers.

The Tide is expected to fill its offensive coordinator vacancy with Notre Dame’s Tommy Rees after Bill O’Brien, whose contract was expiring, took the same job with the New England Patriots.

This story will be updated.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.