TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -New Alabama coach Nick Saban has hired three assistant coaches. Kirby Smart, Kevin Steele and Lance Thompson joined his staff Tuesday, but Saban hadn't assigned them titles or duties. Smart spent last season as the Miami Dolphins' safeties coach under Saban after six years at the college level with Georgia, LSU, Florida State and Valdosta State. Steele coached Baylor from 1999-02 and spent the last four seasons as linebackers coach at Florida State. He also worked with the NFL's Carolina Panthers and at Southeastern Conference rival Tennessee. Thompson spent the last three years as defensive coordinator at Central Florida. He coached Alabama's defensive line for two years starting in 1999, when the Tide won an SEC title. Thompson also previously worked under Saban at LSU as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator. Saban still hasn't named an offensive coordinator. Jimbo Fisher, who held that job under him and successor Les Miles at LSU, accepted Florida State's coordinator job Monday. Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. |
