Brian Kelly fires entire LSU defensive coaching staff
After one of the worst defensive seasons in LSU recent history, Brian Kelly has parted ways with defensive coordinator Matt House, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, first reported by Wilson Alexander of The Advocate and confirmed by LSU.
Kelly released a statement on the decision Wednesday morning.
“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.”
Multiple sources confirm with The Bengal Tiger staff that Kelly has kept John Jancek on staff at LSU. Jancek went from analyst to special teams coach and outside linebackers coach, then transitioned to helping with the defensive line. He’s under contract through the 2024 season.
After another disappointing outing in the bowl game, a 34-31 win over Wisconsin, Kelly decided its time to move on from House after two seasons in charge of the Tigers defense. In 2022, LSU ranked in the middle of the pack in the country, with NFL-caliber talent in BJ Ojulari, Jaquelin Roy, Jay Ward, among other solid veterans. In 2023, with ample turnover, the wheels fell off.
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LSU ended the season ranked outside of the top 100 in most of the major defensive categories. LSU ranked second worst in the SEC in yards per game allowed, second worst in rush defense, third worst in passing defense, and third worst in the conference in points allowed per game.
The Tigers were unable to slow down Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, and Florida State while the offensive side of the ball broke records and carried the team to nine wins.
Stay tuned to The Bengal Tiger for the latest news on LSU’s offseason.
