Malzahn: Auburn hires Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says he has hired Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator. Malzahn made the announcement Wednesday after Auburn's

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says he has hired Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator.

Malzahn made the announcement Wednesday after Auburn's 31-10 victory over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. He didn't take questions about the hiring.

Malzahn says Steele will ''take over a very talented group,'' though the defense struggled much of the season.

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Steele spent this season as LSU's defensive coordinator after coaching linebackers at Alabama. The former Baylor head coach was the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator in 2007 and held the same post at Clemson from 2009-11.

He's had a number of other coaching stops, including coaching linebackers for the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

Steele replaces Will Muschamp, who left after one season to become head coach at South Carolina.