Report: Brian Kelly, LSU expected to promote Cortez Hankton, Joe Sloan to co-coordinators

Brian Kelly’s search for LSU’s next offensive coordinator has led him to promote a tandem of in-house candidates.

After Mike Denbrock decided to return to Notre Dame to be the Fighting Irish’s offensive coordinator under Marcus Freeman, the Tigers had a hole they needed to fill. Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan handled play-calling duties for Kelly during LSU’s bowl victory, and it evidently impressed Kelly.

According to Matt Zenitz, Sloan will be promoted to co-offensive coordinator with wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton, with the former serving as the primary offensive play-caller for LSU in 2024.

“The expectation is that LSU is going to promote QB coach Joe Sloan and WR coach Cortez Hankton to co-offensive coordinators with Sloan as the primary offensive play-caller, sources tell @247sports,” Zenitz posted on X. “With those two as interim co-OCs for LSU’s 35-31 bowl win over Wisconsin, the Tigers posted 492 yards of total offense.”

Alas, Denbrock’s departure created opportunity for Sloan and Hankton, and they came through in spades during LSU’s bowl victory. It was enough for Kelly to commit to the duo moving forward, where they can continue to make a name for themselves with the Tigers.

Moreover, Kelly’s decision should come as no surprise, as he was more than complimentary of the duo following the ReliaQuest Bowl, when the coach broke down the job Sloan did as LSU’s play-caller in the game.

“Yeah, I think it’s Joe and Cortez [Hankton] and really the whole staff,” 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.”

Moving forward, we’ll see if the duo can re-create their bowl game magic, but that’s what Brian Kelly is banking on as the 2024 campaign approaches.