Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is retiring, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low on Monday night.
Steele turns 66 in March, and spent 40 years coaching college football.
With Steele out of the fold, all eyes are on head coach Nick Saban as he looks to replace his defensive coordinator. Saban-coached defenses have been a significant reason for Alabama’s six national championships since he took over as head coach, and the next hire will be important.
Luckily for Saban, college football fans have it all figured out. Saban, apparently, should just go ahead and hire his good friend in legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to become the Tide’s defensive coordinator.
At the time of this writing, Belichick remains the head coach of the Patriots, but with his status in doubt for next season and beyond, now is the time for Saban to bring Belichick to Tuscaloosa (apparently).
Here are some of the best reactions to the news of Steele’s retirement, which led most college football fans to push the Belichick idea to light:
Bill Belichick to Bama
— CFB Matchups (@MatchupTracker) January 9, 2024
— 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙾🐤 (@HERKYMARCO) January 9, 2024
Its time. pic.twitter.com/BRvaVBxhq0
— EchoSynth (@_dba2k_) January 9, 2024
Alabama Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick https://t.co/gHKiTpVRCE
— Transfer Portal (@NCAAPortal) January 9, 2024
Steele retires seconds before kickoff.
— Nick Shepkowski (@NickShepkowski) January 9, 2024
Belichick will quit the Pats just before halftime and be introduced as Saban's new DC with a minute left in regulation tonight. https://t.co/FKEamvtwjl