Tag: Kerry Cooks

Greg Brooks Jr. suing LSU for negligence after emergency surgery for brain tumor

Greg Brooks Jr. has filed a negligence lawsuit against LSU after he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor last September.

Former LSU football defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], a team captain whose career ended last September when he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor, has filed a lawsuit against the university as well as Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center citing negligence.

In the lawsuit, which Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger obtained, Brooks accuses the football staff of inaction and threatening his starting position if he didn’t practice and play while experiencing symptoms, which began in August 39 days before he was ultimately scheduled to meet with a neurologist by trainers.

Per Dellenger, the lawsuit accuses the trainers of misdiagnosing his condition in addition to failing to recommend him to a neurologist. It names coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], former defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], former safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], head athletic trainer Owen Stanley and team doctors Stephen Etheredge and Vincent Shaw.

It also names Brandon Gaynor, a surgeon at Our Lady of the Lake who performed the operation after a scan revealed a tumor two games into the 2023 season. According to the lawsuit, the surgery left Brooks “permanently disabled” with “catastrophic neurological injuries.”

Brooks claims in the lawsuit that he suffered multiple strokes from “acts of malpractice” during the operation. A year after the surgery, he is reportedly unable to walk or use his right hand and has difficulty speaking as the result of a post-operation condition known as posterior fossa syndrome.

Both LSU and Our Lady of the Lake released statements to Yahoo Sports.

“First, and foremost, our prayers remain with Greg for his continued healing and recovery. Due to patient privacy laws and pending litigation, we can’t comment on specific individuals or situations,” a statement from the hospital said. “The neurosurgical team at Our Lady of the Lake is among the most experienced in Louisiana and they give our patients the best opportunity for a positive outcome in any circumstance. Providing excellent healthcare to those we serve is our top priority.”

The school wrote, “While LSU cannot comment on ongoing litigation, Greg Brooks remains in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to work through the rehabilitation process. Since the beginning of our agreement with our Championship Health Partner, Our Lady of the Lake, they have provided exceptional medical care for our student-athletes in all of our sports.”

Another accusation made in the lawsuits that LSU’s statement doesn’t address is that the school refused to transfer ownership of the Greg Brooks Victory Fund, a donation fund started by the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation, to him. He also alleges that LSU disclosed “false or misleading” confidential medical information and used his name, image and likeness without his consent.

A transfer addition from Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season, Brooks started 13 of 14 games. He entered the 2023 season as a team captain and possible NFL draft prospect before his operation two games into the season.

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Former LSU safeties coach Kerry Cooks hired by Rice

Kerry Cooks was let go this past January along with much of the defensive staff at LSU.

LSU made quite a few changes to its defensive staff following a rough 2023 season.

The Tigers moved on from defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], and they also let go of several assistants. One of those coaches — former safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag] — has now found a new home.

On Monday, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Cooks will be joining Rice as a defensive assistant. Cooks followed coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to LSU from Notre Dame in 2022, and he has previously served as an assistant at Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, as well.

He coached multiple stints under Kelly with the Fighting Irish, holding the role of co-defensive coordinator during his first stint from 2010-14.

After he wasn’t hired during the initial coaching carousel this offseason, likely in part due to being let go by LSU in January, Cooks will be heading to Houston to coach under Rice coach Mike Bloomgren in 2024.

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LSU reportedly finalizing a deal to bring Corey Raymond back on staff

Corey Raymond was a longtime assistant under both Les Miles and Ed Orgeron.

LSU may be close to completing its staff with a familiar face.

The Tigers are finalizing a deal to bring [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] back to coach the secondary, according to On3’s Shea Dixon. A Louisiana native and LSU assistant from 2006-08 and again from 2012-21, Raymond was the architect and primary recruiter who helped stake the Tigers’ “DBU” claim.

He was not retained on coach Brian Kelly’s new staff in 2022, instead taking the same role at Florida, where he coached cornerbacks in 2022 and all defensive backs this past season but was fired following a 5-7 finish.

LSU has already hired three staffers to replace those who were fired following the bowl game, including two assistants to work with the defensive line.

Coaching the secondary had previously been a two-man gig between [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], but with only one spot remaining on the on-field staff, Raymond would likely coach corners and safeties if he ultimately returns to Baton Rouge.

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Report: LSU hiring Missouri DL coach Kevin Peoples as an assistant coach

Kevin Peoples worked with new LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker at Missouri over the last two seasons.

LSU has already hired Texas defensive line coach [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag], but it isn’t done shoring up its front on defense.

According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Tigers are also set to hire Missouri defensive line coach [autotag]Kevin Peoples[/autotag] to the staff. Peoples spent the last two seasons at Mizzou coaching edge rushers specifically and working with [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], who LSU recently hired as its new defensive coordinator.

Peoples has an extensive track record coaching the defensive line, serving in that role at Indiana, Tulane, Arkansas, UAB and Arkansas State, as well. Though it’s not clear exactly what role Peoples and Davis will occupy on the staff, it’s been speculated that Peoples will coach the edge while Davis will work with the interior.

LSU still has an opening for its secondary after it fired both cornerbacks coach [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag].

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BREAKING: LSU hires Blake Baker as next defensive coordinator

Blake Baker elevated Missouri’s defense from one of the nation’s worst to one of the best in his two years in Columbia.

LSU has found its defensive coordinator.

On Friday night, the team announced that it had poached [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] away from SEC foe Missouri. Baker has spent the last two seasons with the Tigers, elevating a defense that was one of the worst in the nation in 2021 to one of the best this past fall.

Before joining Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri staff, he was on LSU’s staff under Ed Orgeron in 2021 as the linebackers coach. Baker has further ties to the state of Louisiana as he was the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech from 2015-18.

He was also the defensive coordinator at Miami from 2019-20.

“Excited to welcome Blake and his family back to Baton Rouge,” coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] wrote on Twitter. “Geaux Tigers!”

With the defensive coordinator hire now set, LSU will turn its attention to filling the vacant assistant coaching positions on the defensive side of the ball. Along with previous defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], LSU fired safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], cornerbacks coach [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag].

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12 names that could be fits for LSU’s open defensive line coach job, including Texas’ Bo Davis

These coaches could become targets to replace Jimmy Lindsey in 2024.

After a massive staff shakeup on Wednesday, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is looking to fill nearly an entire defensive staff.

Early reports indicate that Missouri defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] is the leading candidate for the defensive coordinator role. Baker coached linebackers at LSU in 2021, and that’s the group he’d likely work with if he got the DC job.

That leaves LSU needing assistants for the secondary and defensive line after [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag], [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] were also let go.

LSU will need to fill the DC spot first, but here are some names that could potentially fit working with the defensive line.

Former LSU cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples releases statement after firing

Robert Steeples was fired Wednesday along with most of the defensive staff.

After a year of massively underperforming on defense, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opted for an overhaul of the defensive staff on Wednesday.

LSU fired defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] as well as assistants [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag]. Steeples, who coached cornerbacks, released a statement thanking Kelly and the program for the opportunity.

Steeples started his statement by thanking [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], the Tigers’ defensive back who is currently battling brain cancer, as well as Kelly, the staff and the rest of the players.

“All in All, my definition of Love is the commitment to doing right by someone when they are with you and away from you,” Steeples said. “Thank you to those who showed love by doing right by me. Just know, I did right by you.”

A former NFL cornerback, Steeples was a high school head coach at De Smet Jesuit in his hometown of St. Louis from 2016-20. He later served as an assistant special teams coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before joining Kelly’s staff.

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Report: LSU has identified a leading candidate for defensive coordinator position

LSU may already be zeroing in on a candidate for its open defensive coordinator position.

LSU is now searching for coordinators on both sides of the ball after coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] fired most of the on-field defensive staff on Wednesday.

The Tigers parted ways with defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] as well as assistants [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag]. House’s unit took a major step back in 2023, finishing in the bottom half of the FBS by most metrics.

Kelly now faces a crucial hire heading into Year 3, and it seems he may have found his guy. Missouri defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] has already emerged as a leading candidate, according to Brandon Marcello and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

Baker orchestrated one of the better defenses in the SEC in 2023, ranking fourth in the league in yards per game while having the No. 6 scoring defense. That unit played a large part in an 11-win campaign for the Tigers that culminated in a Fiesta Bowl win over Ohio State.

He has clear ties to the state of Louisiana, serving as LSU’s linebackers coach in 2021 under Ed Orgeron before spending the last two seasons in Columbia. Baker also was an assistant at Louisiana Tech from 2014-18, where he was the defensive coordinator his last four seasons.

Baker also served as the defensive coordinator at Miami from 2019-20, and he signed an extension with Missouri last month that made him one of the SEC’s highest-paid assistants.

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16 names to watch for LSU’s open defensive coordinator role

These 16 names could make a good fit for LSU’s next defensive playcaller.

After months of speculation, it finally happened.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] announced that LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], along with defensive assistants [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag], [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag], would not be retained.

Both coordinator positions are open now, but much of the spotlight will be directed at the defensive side given how bad that unit was in 2023.

Before House, Kelly had a good record of hiring DCs. Its a list that includes Mike Elko, Marcus Freeman and Clark Lea. All are now Power Five head coaches, and Elko and Lea are in the SEC.

The expectation should be for Kelly to make a hire closer to that than what we saw with House.

Here are 16 names Kelly should pursue.

Reactions as LSU fires defensive coordinator Matt House

To say LSU fans were relieved with the change would be an understatement.

Though it took longer than some expected, LSU coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opted to make sweeping changes on the defensive side of the ball after that unit massively underachieved in 2023.

Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] is out, as is almost the entire defensive staff. The Tigers parted ways with safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], cornerbacks coach [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag], as well.

It was a move that didn’t come as a major surprise after that unit held the team back despite possessing one of the most prolific offenses in program history led by a Heisman Trophy winner.

To say LSU fans were relieved with the change would be an understatement. Here’s how the fanbase reacted.