LSU hires Jake Peetz as offensive coordinator, DJ Mangas as passing game coordinator

One day after LSU head coach Ed Orgeron went on his weekly radio spot and said his top choices for offensive coordinator were in the

One day after LSU head coach Ed Orgeron went on his weekly radio spot and said his top choices for offensive coordinator were in the building; the school announced it had hired Jake Peetz as offensive coordinator and DJ Mangas as passing game coordinator.

Peetz takes over for Steve Ensminger, who retired in December after 10 seasons on LSU’s staff.

Mangas returns to Baton Rouge, where he spent the 2019 season as an offensive analyst under Joe Brady — LSU’s passing game coordinator in that season.

Mangas followed Brady to the Carolina Panthers as an offensive assistant, where he served under Brady, who was the offensive coordinator in 2020.

Peetz was already on staff with Carolina, where he spent the 2019 season as running backs coach before Brady moved him to quarterbacks coach for the 2020 season.

Peetz and Mangas were recommended to Orgeron by Brady after the head coach made it clear he wanted to get back to the same offensive scheme from LSU’s championship team in 2019.

Peetz, 37, has spent several years in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, Washington Football Team, Jacksonville Jaguars and, most recently, the Carolina Panthers.

Peetz has also spent two seasons on Nick Saban’s staff as an offensive analyst in 2013 and 2018.

Mangas was a college teammate of Brady’s at William & Mary and coached under him in two different stints with LSU and Carolina.

Orgeron released a statement on the new hires.

Both Jake and DJ come highly recommended from one of the premier and innovative offensive coaches in the game in Joe Brady. Jake brings 10 years of NFL experience with him to our staff. He spent a season coaching alongside and learning from Joe (Brady) so we couldn’t be more excited about Jake joining our staff. His knowledge of football combined with the players we have on our roster, will make for a dynamic offense for LSU in 2021.

Peetz and Mangas will certainly have plenty of talent to work with in 2021, but there will still be uncertainty on how college football will proceed with spring practice due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.