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Steele out at Clemson

By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com 
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It took a little over a week after Clemson's nightmarish finish for changes to take place.

On Thursday, the university announced defensive coordinator Kevin Steele would no longer be with the program. The defense was a weakness this season. In a record-setting bowl game, Clemson allowed 70 points, 10 touchdowns and 587 yards of total offense in a 70-33 onslaught in last Wednesday's Orange Bowl.

"I have a great experience at Clemson and feel good about what we have accomplished the last three years," Steele said in a statement. "But, there are some other coaching opportunities I wish to pursue at this time."

Steele served as Clemson's defensive coordinator since 2009, but saw his unit take a major dip from last season to this year. The Tigers ranked No. 71 in the nation in total defense (394.36) and No. 81 in scoring defense (29.29). In 2010, they ranked No. 19 in total defense, allowing 320.31 yards per game and 13th in scoring defense, giving up 18.77 points per game.

The Tigers won three consecutive games over ranked opponents (No. 21 Auburn, No. 11 Florida State and No. 11 Virginia Tech) early in the season on their way the program's first ACC title since 1991. Even so, the problems on defense crept up throughout the season.

With its high-scoring offense at hand, Clemson was able to survive a 56-45 win at Maryland and a 59-38 victory against North Carolina before losing for its first game on the road at Georgia Tech. They would eventually end the regular season losing to rivals N.C. State (37-13) and No. 12 South Carolina (34-13) before holding third-ranked Virginia Tech to 10 points in the conference title game in December.

"Although we were inconsistent at times with a young defense this year, overall we have been one of the best defenses in the country the last three years under his direction," said head coach Dabo Swinney in a statement. "He has had a huge impact on Clemson football. Our players have learned countless lessons from him on and off the field."

Contrary to Clemson's statement, ESPN.com reported on Thursday that Steele contacted them via text message, notifying them that he had been fired.

In a similar move last year, offensive coordinator Billy Napier was fired after the Tigers finished the season 6-7. The offense ranked 88th in the nation in total offense that year.

Clemson finished the 2011 season ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll with a 10-4 record.

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Carlos Pineda - Carlos recently graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and spent the fall as the UCF football beat writer for the Florida Today during the 2010 season. Fully motivated, Pineda covered many of the UCF athletic teams, including basketball and baseball, and eventually became Editor-in-Chief of the Central Florida Future. He has been published in the Orlando Sentinel, and interned at the Orlando Business Journal. He also helped cover the Orlando Magic for Orlando Magic Daily as a credentialed member of the media during the 2010-11 season. Pineda is from Pembroke Pines, FL and covers Miami, Florida and Florida State for Southern Pigskin. You can follow him on twitter: @carlosfpineda10

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