LSU Gold

Robert Steeples Season 2024

LSU
Robert Steeples
Title
Cornerbacks Coach
Phone
(225) 578-1151
Hometown
St. Louis, Mo.
Alma Mater
Missouri (2012)

Robert Steeples, a former standout high school head coach, serves as LSU’s cornerbacks coach. He joined the Tigers in December of 2021 after one season coaching special teams with the Minnesota Vikings.

In his first year at LSU, Steeples inherited a position group with no returning starters, molding that group into one of the strengths of the Tiger defense. LSU’s pass defense ranked among the best in the SEC despite having a group of players who had never played together before. LSU’s cornerback rotation featured first-year Tigers in Mekhi Garner, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, and Colby Richardson – all transfers.

Garner led the Tigers in pass breakups with eight, while Bernard-Converse had two interceptions, including one in the endzone in the win over Alabama that thwarted a scoring opportunity. LSU posted a 10-4 mark and captured the SEC Western Division title in 2022.

Steeples made the jump from coaching high school to the NFL in 2021 after transforming De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur, Missouri into a powerhouse in just four years. Under his guidance, De Smet’s football team went from 2-8 in his first season in 2016 to a state championship in 2019.

In his final three seasons at De Smet, Steeples led his team to a 29-4 combined record, which included a 20-game winning streak and back-to-back appearances in the state title game. His team was ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation. Doubling as head coach and defensive coordinator, Steeples’ defenses allowed only 9.1 points per game during his final two seasons at De Smet.

Steeples was named the 2020 All-American Bowl Coach of the Year after guiding De Smet to the 2019 state title and a 14-0 record. The team returned to the state championship game in 2020 and finished runner-up.

A former NFL cornerback, Steeples entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent for the St. Louis Rams in 2013, where he spent the preseason before signing with the Vikings. Steeples was a member of the practice squad and appeared on special teams in two games for Minnesota as a rookie. Steeples also spent time with Kansas City (2014) and Dallas (2014-15).

During his collegiate playing days, Steeples was a standout cornerback for Missouri and Memphis. He lettered three years at Missouri (2009-11), helping the Tigers to bowl appearances each season. He played the 2012 season at Memphis, where he recorded 42 tackles.

Steeples, who attended De Smet Jesuit High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Missouri and completed his master’s in business and social development at Memphis.

Robert Steeples File
Year at LSU: Second
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Birthdate: November 27, 1989
College: Missouri, 2011; Memphis (Master’s in Business and Social Development), 2012

Coaching Experience
2016-20 De Smet Jesuit High School (Head Coach)
2021 Minnesota Vikings (Asst. Special Teams)
2022-23 LSU (Cornerbacks)