Update, 1:11 p.m.
Kevin Steele has an offer on the table to become Auburn's next defensive coordinator, but LSU is willing to match it to retain the first-year coach, according to a report from James Smith of NOLA.com. Auburn reportedly offered Steele a three-year contract worth $4 million, a raise from his current contract with LSU, which pays him $2 million over two years.
Update, 12:37 p.m.
There are mixed feelings on the status of Kevin Steele at LSU, according to a new report from Ross Dellenger of The Advocate. Some of Dellenger's sources believe LSU will retain Steele as its defensive coordinator, while others are unsure. LSU head coach Les Miles refused to comment on the ongoing situation when he exited the team hotel in downtown Houston after a meeting with school officials.
Update, 11:39 a.m.
LSU is now making a push to keep Steele as its defensive coordinator, Ross Dellenger of The Advocate reports. The report states LSU head coach Les Miles met with school officials at the team's hotel in Houston, where the Tigers defeated Texas Tech in last night's Advocare Texas Bowl.
Original story
After nearly a month-long search, Auburn appears to have found its next defensive coordinator.
Kevin Steele, who was the defensive coordinator at LSU this season, will be hired to man the same position at Auburn, according to a report by ESPN's Chris Low.
Steele would be forced to pay a buyout to leave LSU, and he and Auburn would split the cost according to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate - Baton Rouge. Steele's buyout is half of the salary remaining on his contract, which is $500,000, according to Dellenger.
Steele has coached previously at Tennessee, Clemson and Alabama, and was Baylor's head coach from 1999-2002. In his first season at LSU, his unit ranked fifth in the SEC in total defense.
Steele would replace Will Muschamp, who left Auburn to become the head coach at South Carolina on Dec. 6.
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