Tag: LSU Coaching Staff

Five names to watch for LSU’s open offensive coordinator position

Here are five names that make sense to fill LSU’s open offensive coordinator spot.

With [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] filling Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator vacancy, LSU now has one of its own.

After coordinating the best offense in the country, Denbrock’s name was sure to draw interest and it did, with Texas A&M also courting him earlier this month.

But after two years in Baton Rouge, the Fighting Irish were able to draw Denbrock back to his old stomping grounds, closer to home too.

This will be the first time Brian Kelly’s had to replace an offensive staff member since his arrival in 2021, but there are plenty of good options, including a couple already in Baton Rouge.

Here are five names to watch for LSU’s open OC position.

LSU announces co-offensive coordinators for ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin

LSU will turn to Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton to run the offense against Wisconsin.

LSU will be without its offensive coordinator in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1 as it was reported Friday that offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] would be leaving to take the same role at Notre Dame.

With Denbrock moving on before the bowl game, LSU will turn to interim co-offensive coordinators for the matchup. Quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and passing game coordinator/receivers coach [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] will serve as co-coordinators for that matchup, and it will be interesting to see if LSU ultimately opts to promote from within after that unit’s success over the last two seasons, especially in 2023.

Both Sloan and Hankton have played a major role in that success between the development of Heisman winner [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and a loaded receiver room.

“I’m confident in Cortez and Joe’s ability to run the offense,” [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said in a release. “They will collaborate in the passing game and work with Brad (Davis) and Frank (Wilson) in the running game. They will execute a great game plan for us. They are a cohesive group of coaches and I’m excited about this opportunity for them. I know they will do a good job.”

The Tigers will take on the Badgers on Jan. 1 in Tampa.

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BREAKING: LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock returning to Notre Dame

The Tigers will be searching for an offensive coordinator this offseason.

One of the architects behind LSU’s prolific 2023 offense is moving on from the program.

Offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] will leave LSU to return to Notre Dame in the same role where he previously coached in two prior stints, including under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag]. Denbrock’s departure was confirmed by multiple reports.

Denbrock will rejoin Marcus Freeman, whom he worked with previously when both were at Cincinnati. Denbrock, 59, previously coached at Notre Dame from 2002-04 and again from 2010-16, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2014.

With Denbrock moving on, 2024 is set to be a year of change on offense for LSU as the Tigers will lose quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] as well as receivers [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], in all likelihood.

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LSU OC Mike Denbrock reportedly interested in returning to Notre Dame

Mike Denbrock reportedly has a “legitimate interest” in the open Notre Dame OC position.

LSU got through early signing day without any changes to the staff, but that could change in the coming weeks.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Pete Sampson, Tigers offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] has a “legitimate interest” in returning to Notre Dame in the same rule. Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Gerad Parker recently left to become the head coach at Troy.

Denbrock was previously an assistant under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in South Bend from 2010-16, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2014. He also had a previous stint at Notre Dame from 2002-04.

In addition to his connections with the program, Denbrock also has a relationship with head coach Marcus Freeman as the pair previously worked together at Cincinnati.

Denbrock was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2023, given to the top assistant in the nation, and he orchestrated one of the most prolific offensive units in recent college football memory. He also coached a Heisman winner in [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag].

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LSU OC Mike Denbrock reportedly interested in returning to Notre Dame

Mike Denbrock reportedly has a “legitimate interest” in the open Notre Dame OC position.

LSU got through early signing day without any changes to the staff, but that could change in the coming weeks.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Pete Sampson, Tigers offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] has a “legitimate interest” in returning to Notre Dame in the same rule. Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Gerad Parker recently left to become the head coach at Troy.

Denbrock was previously an assistant under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in South Bend from 2010-16, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2014. He also had a previous stint at Notre Dame from 2002-04.

In addition to his connections with the program, Denbrock also has a relationship with head coach Marcus Freeman as the pair previously worked together at Cincinnati.

Denbrock was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2023, given to the top assistant in the nation, and he orchestrated one of the most prolific offensive units in recent college football memory. He also coached a Heisman winner in [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag].

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Report: LSU finalizing extension with OC Mike Denbrock

After leading one of the most prolific units in the country, the Broyles Award finalist is reportedly sticking around.

After leading one of the most prolific offensive units in the country in 2023, offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] is seemingly sticking around.

According to a report from Wilson Alexander of The Advocate, Denbrock and the Tigers are finalizing a three-year extension to keep the Broyles Award finalist in Baton Rouge. The details of the deal are not clear, but Denbrock’s salary will presumably exceed the $1.5 million he was expected to receive next season.

Denbrock’s extension didn’t come out of nowhere. Texas A&M reportedly made a run at Denbrock for its offensive coordinator position under new head coach Mike Elko, according to Football Scoop. Both were former Notre Dame assistants under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], though there was no overlap during their times in South Bend.

The Aggies eventually settled on Kansas State’s Collin Klein.

Denbrock is now in his third stint under Kelly, who he previously worked for at Grand Valley State and Notre Dame.

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LSU cornerback coach Robert Steeples named to AFCA 35 under 35 list

LSU’s Robert Steeples was named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 list

LSU cornerback coach [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] was recognized this week as he was named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 list.

Steeples is in his second year with LSU after joining the staff in 2022. LSU was his first college coaching position, after spending his previous years at the high school level and in the NFL.

Steeples had plenty of success as a high school head coach at De Smet in the St. Louis area, which included winning a state championship in 2019. De Smet won 20 straight games under Steeples and garnered a top 10 national ranking.

As a player, Steeples played for Memphis before bouncing around a few NFL organizations, mostly as a practice squad member.

Some other Power Five assistants joining Steeples on the list are West Virginia’s Blaine Stewart, Nebraska’s Garrett McGuire, and Houston’s Michael Burchett.

Steeples’ cornerback room dealt with a plethora of injuries in 2023, but some of the young guys looked to improve down the stretch.

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Brian Kelly still evaluating assistants, potential staff changes

Brian Kelly hasn’t made any staffing decisions, but he addressed the Tigers’ defensive shortcomings on Tuesday.

LSU had a record-setting offense in 2023, but due to significant shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball, the team finished 9-3 and failed to repeat as SEC West champions.

There has been a lot of discussions regarding potential staff changes, particularly as it pertains to defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag].

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] previously said the process of evaluating staff was ongoing, and that remained the case when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.

“9-3, we’re here to win championships,” Kelly said. “Our defense did not play to the level that our standard is set at. Nobody is happy, including everybody on the defensive side and the head football coach, that we didn’t play the kind of defense necessary. I’m not happy about it. Nobody’s happy about it. Our fans shouldn’t be happy about it. And we have to do things to make sure that that doesn’t happen again.

“But to say that we’re just addressing it now is just not correct. We started addressing it after the Mississippi game. That’s when addressing our defensive shortcomings began. And so this process has been ongoing. It’s not like all the sudden, ‘hey, by the way, you’ve got to fix the defense.’ This has been ongoing and this process has been one where we feel the pain of everybody because we feel it too. It cannot be the kind of defensive performance we had this past year, it’s got to be better and it will be better.”

At the same time, Kelly said he won’t shy away from making hard decisions. He pointed at when he fired defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder four games into the 2016 season at Notre Dame.

“Those aren’t easy decisions,” he said. “I’m not afraid to make those decisions. And I’m going to do what’s best for LSU’s football program and the pursuit of a national championship. But I’m going to do it informed, I’m going to do it for what’s best for the program because it’s involving players, it’s involving coaches, it’s involving all things as it relates to being more successful as a defense. It’s not on one person, it’s collectively.”

It’s clear that Kelly is aware that the defensive performance wasn’t up to snuff this season, but it’s not exactly clear whether his solution will involve staff changes on that side of the ball.

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Ranking LSU’s offensive linemen after the regular season

Ranking LSU’s five starting offensive linemen in 2023.

LSU’s offensive line was among the sport’s best in 2023.

The unit was one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best offensive line in the country.

The Tigers led the country in offensive line yards and ranked 12th among Power Five teams in pass-blocking efficiency.

Offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] was the lone on-field assistant retained after [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] took over, and it paid off, with the unit getting a little better each year under Davis.

Here, we’re ranking the individual performances on LSU’s offensive line in 2023. This group was a mix of young blue-chippers and senior veterans, but it was strong across the board, without a glaring weakness.

Brian Kelly gives timeline for making decisions about staff changes

While some staff changes are possible, especially on defense, don’t expect an imminent decision from Brian Kelly.

The Tigers entered the 2023 season as a top-five team.

Though the offense arguably exceeded expectations, the defensive side of the ball was a massive disappointment as it held the team back significantly. Despite a Heisman-caliber season from [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], the team finished just 9-3.

Some staff changes are possible, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and a vocal segment of LSU fans want a change at defensive coordinator after Matt House’s unit did not live up to the preseason hype.

The Tigers haven’t made any decisions yet, and during a Monday appearance with Paul Finebaum, Kelly said that any decisions regarding staff changes will be made in the next week or so.

Regardless of who is or is not retained entering 2024, it’s clear that Kelly’s team will have a lot to prove after back-to-back seasons that were successful but didn’t quite see the team get over the hump in the SEC.

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