COLUMBIA, S.C. — Clemson has made it official, hiring Alabama’s Kevin Steele as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.

Steele most recently served as head coach of the defense for the Crimson Tide, who were ranked No. 1 for much of the season and finished 12-2.

Steele has been on campus for several days. He sat with Tiger head coach Dabo Swinney on Tuesday night at Clemson’s basketball game with Alabama.

Steele replaces Vic Koenning, Clemson’s defensive leader the past four seasons. Koenning left to join Kansas State last month after Swinney would not guarantee his position beyond the Tigers’ bowl game.

Steele will coach linebackers along with his coordinator duties.