Brian Kelly evaluates Joe Sloan as LSU's play-caller

The LSU Tigers lost their offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock, to Notre Dame following the season. Because of that move, head coach Brian Kelly promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan to be the team’s play-caller for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin.

Following the ReliaQuest Bowl, Brian Kelly broke down the job Joe Sloan did as LSU’s play-caller in the game.

“Yeah, I think it’s Joe and Cortez [Hankton] and really the whole staff,” Brian Kelly said. “Today was really about a cohesive group. Brad [Davis] had great suggestions on adjustments on the offensive line. Frank [Wilson] is doing a great job, you saw his rotation of backs in there. That all feeds into what you’re doing offensively. It doesn’t fall on one shoulder or shoulders if you will.

LSU put up 35 points in the win over Wisconsin. It was the first game for Garrett Nussmeier as the starting quarterback and he put up 395 yards passing and three touchdowns in the game. So, clearly, something was going right for the offense, even with Jayden Daniels opting out of the game.

“The plays came down from the box. There was an input and I thought Joe and Cortez managed that end of it really well,” Kelly said. “And then we had great adjustments from our entire staff to be an efficient offense in this transition.”

It’s hard to say if Brian Kelly will turn to Joe Sloan to be the team’s offensive coordinator next season or if Sloan will remain as the quarterbacks coach or not. Hypothetically, he could handle both roles at the same time. However, for now, Kelly is happy with how the offense operated during the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Brian Kelly made several coaching staff changes

Following the ReliaQuest Bowl, Brian Kelly made the decision to overhaul the defensive coaching staff. That included moving on from defensive coordinator Matt House, who was highly criticized throughout the season amid the defense’s struggles.

Along with House, defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey and defensive backs coaches Robert Steeples and Kerry Cooks were also dismissed by Kelly.

“This morning, I met with Matt House, Kerry Cooks, Robert Steeples, and Jimmy Lindsey to inform them that they would not return to our coaching staff in 2024,” Brian Kelly said in a statement. “I want to thank each of these coaches for their work on behalf of our football program and our institution during their time here. Decisions like these are always difficult, and we do not make them lightly, but they are made with the best interests of our program and our student-athletes in mind. Moving forward, we will continue working to build a championship caliber coaching staff in support of our mission to Graduate champions.”

In total, LSU will owe the fired defensive staff members $5.4 million total buyouts, including $3.7 for Matt House.