LSU overhauls defensive staff, part ways with DC Matt House, three other assistants

After a tough year on the field for his unit, LSU defensive coordinator Matt House has officially been let go by the Tigers, according to a statement released by head coach Brian Kelly.

Kelly also confirms the departure of defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey and defensive backs coaches Robert Steeples and Kerry Cooks. You can see the statement right here or read the full thing further down:

BREAKING – @LSUfootball @CoachBrianKelly confirms he his overhauling the #LSU defensive staff. pic.twitter.com/o7FsWlUs5Z

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 3, 2024

Full Statement from Brian Kelly

The statement from Kelly on the firings:

“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. 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.”

LSU defense put up horrendous numbers

After all, LSU finished the year ranked 101st in total defense (409.2 yards per game allowed), 89th in rushing defense (163.8 yards per game allowed), 104th in passing defense (245.4 yards per game allowed) and 77th in scoring defense (27.8 points per game allowed) by the end of the regular season. For a team with national championship aspirations and coming off an SEC West title the year before, the stark drop-off in defense was simply unacceptable this season.

With even a decent defense, plus the Heisman winner and No. 1 offense in the nation, LSU could have been back in the mix to win the division and take another shot at Georgia in the SEC championship with a College Football Playoff spot on the line. Alas, the defense let this group down, over and over and over again. Kelly’s hand was forced, because there was no way he could enter next fall with the exact same defensive staff.

Kelly explained recently, though, that evaluations were coming and tough decisions could be made.

“Everybody is part of this evaluation process,” he said. “Our players will be evaluated this week, then I’ll go through a lengthy evaluation process of our entire staff, not just the coaches but the entire support staff as well.”

That process has already produced a few major changes.