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Brian Kelly has been busy working on his coaching staff for LSU. On Wednesday, Kelly hired Brian Polian and announced Brad Davis would come back as offensive line coach. Also, Kelly brought in former Notre Dame and Oklahoma assistant coach Kerry Cooks to coach the defensive backs.
More news: Former Oklahoma and Notre Dame defensive back coach/co-defensive coordinator Kerry Cooks is joining the #LSU staff, sources tell @TheAthletic.
Cooks' specific role isn't decided yet, but he'll be an assistant coach on Brian Kelly's staff.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 8, 2021
Cooks will replace Corey Raymond, who left LSU after ten seasons to coach Florida. The defensive back coach has coached with Kelly in 2010 as the outside linebacker coach, 2011, cornerback coach, 2012-13, co-defensive coordinator, 2014 defensive back coach, and in 2020, as a defensive assistant.
In 2012 under Cooks, the fighting Irish finished second in the country in yards per completion. Also, Notre Dame only allowed 11 touchdowns. Cooks is known for being a good recruiter and an outstanding defensive coach.
After the 2014 season, Cooks went on to coach at Oklahoma from 2015-2018; in 2019, he went on to Texas Tech, where he spent one season coaching safeties, then found his way back to Notre Dame in 2020. Cooks also coached at Kansas State, Western Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The former Notre Dame assistant coach played his college ball in Iowa and played for four teams in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This is another exceptional decision by Kelly, bringing in a coach he has a history with on his coaching staff. Also, Cooks has played football and has a lot of coaching experience, which will resonate with the players.
