Tag: LSU coaches

10 names to watch if LSU makes a change at defensive coordinator

If LSU decides to make a change at defensive coordinator, these names could be next up in Baton Rouge.

LSU’s defense wildly underperformed in 2023.

After a strong 2022, the unit was expected to make a jump in Brian Kelly’s second year. Instead, it has gone a completely different direction.

LSU ranks 95th in scoring defense and 115th in yards per play allowed. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] went from a head coaching candidate to someone LSU fans want to run out of town.

It’s not entirely on House. LSU lost five defensive backs who were expected to be key contributors, leaving true freshmen to start at cornerback. The front seven also had its fair share of attrition, from [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] missing the Florida State game to [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] now out for the year.

Even taking all that into account, it shouldn’t be this bad. This is still a group with blue-chip recruits across the board and its looked downright incompetent at times.

It’s not a given LSU will make a change at DC. We’ve seen head coaches hold on to coordinators before, but if LSU does make a change, here are some potential replacements.

Brian Kelly brings back former defensive coordinator as an analyst

Kelly will be reuniting with former Notre Dame defensive coordinator and UConn head coach Bob Diaco.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is reuniting with a long-time assistant and old friend in Baton Rouge.

[autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] will be joining the Tigers’ staff as an analyst, as was first reported by On3’s Matt Zenitz.  Diaco spent 2005 with Kelly at Central Michigan before later joining him at Cincinnati and Notre Dame. He spent six seasons with Kelly.

Diaco left Notre Dame to take the head coaching job at UConn until 2016, after which he bounced around as an assistant. He was the DC at Louisiana Tech in 2019, where he was on staff with current LSU quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag]. That Tech defense ranked third in CUSA in yards per play allowed.

Diaco brings a strong working relationship with Kelly and a decent track record of defensive coaching. LSU’s on-field staff has remained mostly intact, but the Tigers have lost some support staff.

Considering LSU’s linebackers coach [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] is also the defensive coordinator, Diaco can help shoulder some of that LB workload. Diaco also has a history of special teams work, an area where LSU struggled in 2022.

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Comparing Brian Kelly to every first-year coach in LSU history

Here’s how Kelly’s 10-4 mark stacks up against previous LSU coaches.

LSU’s [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] wasn’t the only first-year head coach to find success in 2022.

Sonny Dykes led TCU to a national title appearance. Out west, Lincoln Riley and USC fell one-win short of a playoff berth, while Dan Lanning and Kalen DeBoer had their schools competing for a Pac-12 title.

Jon Sumrall and Troy won 11 games and a Sun Belt title as Duke’s Mike Elko led the Blue Devils to their seventh nine-win season in program history.

In the current era, Year 1s are volatile and unpredictable. Roster chaos can be a coach’s best friend with the transfer portal allowing for a quick influx of experienced talent.

It can also be a new coach’s worst enemy, as program’s best players leave in the coaching transition.

Every situation is different, with some guys facing complete rebuilds while others take over talent-rich squads. Making comparisons can be tricky, especially across eras.

With that in mind, I’m going to do it anyway. Here’s how Brian Kelly’s first-year at LSU compared to previous Tiger coaches in year-one.

Here’s everything Mike Denbrock said at his press conference

LSU OC Mike Denbrock met with the media to discuss everything from the QB battle to the progression of the tight ends.

With fall camp in full swing, coaches are speaking to the media for the first time in a minute.

Earlier this week, LSU’s offensive coordinator took to the stand.

Mike Denbrock said the offense was starting to take shape and he’s happy with the direction the unit is going. He’s been pleased with the effort as well.

Denbrock spoke some about every position on the offense, from the QBs to the TEs.

Before arriving at LSU, Denbrock spent the last five years at Cincinnati. Under Denbrock, UC QB Desmond Ridder became an NFL draft pick.

Prior to Cincinnati, Denbrock spent seven years with Brian Kelly at Notre Dame. His relationship with Kelly goes back to the 80s when they both got their start at Grand Valley State.

Denbrock has done a lot of different things on offense in his career. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what his scheme will look like at LSU. Brian Kelly and Joe Sloan could also have some input in the design.

With that said, let’s take a look at what Denbrock said when he met with the media.