Brian Kelly hires former Notre Dame defensive staffer for LSU

Head coach Brian Kelly is reportedly going to hire former Notre Dame defensive analyst Kerry Cooks to his staff with the LSU Tigers. Brody Miller of The Athletic was the first to report. Cooks’ role is not yet known but he will be in Baton Rouge for the 2022 season.

Cooks was on Kelly’s original staff at Notre Dame, serving as the cornerbacks coach for two seasons. He was then promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2012 and stayed in the position until 2014.

Oklahoma was the next destination for Cooks, serving as the defensive backs coach for four seasons and the assistant defensive coordinator for two. Texas Tech was the last stop before another appearance in South Bend as the safeties coach in 2019.

LSU will be Cooks’ first job within the SEC.

Brian Davis to remain on LSU staff

Offensive line coach Brad Davis is returning next year, LSU said Wednesday. Davis is LSU’s interim head coach for the Texas Bowl after the university agreed to part ways with Ed Orgeron after this season.

“Brad Davis is an exceptional teacher of the game and leader of young men, and his passion and dedication to this university and this community are second to none,” Kelly said in a statement. “Our offensive line has made tremendous strides under his leadership this season, and his expertise and technical knowledge of offensive line play will remain vital to our program. We are thrilled he will continue to recruit and develop elite student-athletes at LSU.”

Davis is in his first year as offensive line coach at LSU after holding the same position at Florida, Missouri and Arkansas over the last four seasons. He played guard at Oklahoma from 1999-2002 and helped the Sooners to the 2000 national championship.

“As a Baton Rouge native, I’m extremely grateful to represent LSU, and I remain fully committed to helping Coach Kelly and this staff win championships,” Davis stated. “I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can to give our student-athletes the best opportunity for success and to make our fans proud.”

Florida hires Corey Raymond as DB coach

New Florida coach Billy Napier is expected to bring LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond on board as assistant head coach of the defense/cornerbacks coach, sources told On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Raymond has been on staff at LSU since 2012, starting as defensive backs and associate head coach before moving to cornerbacks coach in 2017. He added recruiting coordinator to his title in 2020.