You can expect an announcement regarding the Buffalo Bills new defensive coordinator sometime within the next few days and though the betting money is on Bob Sanders getting the promotion, a name people have looked out for is Clemson University defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
Steele almost became the University of Tennessee last month to become their defensive coordinator but unexpectedly pulled his name out to return to Clemson.
By coincidence Steele changed his mind on the exact same day Chan Gailey became the Buffalo Bills head coach. It led to growing speculation Steele could be Gailey’s choice to run the defense.
Steele has 24 years of college experience at the collegiate level and four years in the NFL. During that time he’s served under Tom Osborne, Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden and Johnny Majors.
In the NFL he was the linebackers coach at Carolina under Dom Capers from 1995-98.
Speculation has mounted Steele could be the reason the team hasn’t announced the hiring of the position yet. National college signing day is today and it was thought feasible the two worked out a quiet deal to ensure potential Tigers recruits wouldn’t bolt with Steele leaving.
But not so fast. Not only is Steele not going to be the Bills next defensive coordinator, but according to him he was never contacted by the Bills organization at all.
I reached Clemson Athletic Communications Director Tim Bourret Tuesday afternoon and he told me the Steele to Buffalo rumor was news to him.
“I just left him (Steele) and he was in his office and he certainly was not packing up his office. You are first person to say that to me.” Bourret said to me after asked if Steele is soon leaving for Buffalo.”
“I just talked with Kevin and he said he had not even talked with anyone in Buffalo.” Bourret said.
I also just spoke to a trusted insider connected to the situation, who told me simply “Not true. From my source.”
Scratch Steele off your list of prospective coordinators. Also scratch off Clancy Pendergast, who we reported last week wasn’t contacted by Buffalo once he was released from the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff.
Stay tuned for more updates.
