Assessing the timeline for Brian Kelly to fill LSU defensive staff

After the calendar flipped to 2024, Brian Kelly decided it was time for a change at LSU. Wednesday, the program announced the firing of defensive coordinator Matt House and other staffers, meaning the search is underway.

The timing of the decision is interesting. LSU just wrapped up its season with the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin — a 35-31 victory — and the offseason has begun. The Tigers’ defense struggled in 2023, allowing 416.6 yards and 28.1 points per game to rank last in the SEC in both categories.

As for a timeline to replace House, The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon indicated Kelly could move swiftly. However, he didn’t rule out a longer search a la Nick Saban and Alabama last offseason.

“I think that this is a process, knowing whether he was going to fire Matt House or not that, [Kelly has] vetted or at least gone through, ‘Hey, look, here’s a list of guys that we would have interest in,'” Dixon told Andy Staples on On3 Roundtable. “So I would imagine things happen somewhat quickly here. Look, it could come from the NFL ranks. The season’s still going, I guess Black Monday or whatever is coming up for the NFL here soon.

“But by that same token, and I remind LSU fans this. Nick Saban didn’t hire his OC and DC until February last year. So this is a process that could stretch out.”

The other part of the timing of Kelly’s decision is it came a few weeks after National Signing Day. That means LSU’s recruiting class — which ranks No. 7 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking — is secured. Although the transfer portal window is still open, Dixon said that impacts the next move in a couple ways.

Not only is the recruiting class secure, but Kelly doesn’t have to rush to make a hire. As a result, it doesn’t have to be a fast process.

“I think with the early signing period, yes, the portal’s still going in terms of trying to recruit guys out of it or guys — LSU played on the 1st, they have until Saturday for guys to enter with that extended five-day window. But it doesn’t hurt [to] me as much,” Dixon said. “Like, the early signing period, LSU signed 28 guys or 29 guys. So like, those guys are in.

“It’s not like the old days where you had to wait until February to sign everyone, so you felt like, ‘Oh, we need to get someone hired before then.’ Your class is in place. So if this does drag out a few weeks, that wouldn’t be shocking because we’ve seen it happen, most recently at Alabama, and they turn around and make the playoffs.”

Wednesday night, though, it seemed like the hiring process was getting underway. According to a report from Matt Zenitz, Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker is a “top candidate” to replace House. That means LSU could be looking to make a move quickly with the offseason getting underway.