LSU has decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Matt House after winning a bowl game against Wisconsin and securing the 2024 early signing class. It’s not the only staffing change that LSU made on Wednesday, as head coach Brian Kelly announced that assistants Kerry Cooks (safeties), Robert Steeples (cornerbacks) and Jimmy Lindsey (defensive line) would not return, either.
LSU will be hiring a new defensive staff for 2024. Brian Kelly announces DC Matt House and assistants Kerry Cooks, Robert Steeples, and Jimmy Lindsey will not return.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 3, 2024
So, Kelly has effectively cleaned house on the defensive side of the football, while his offensive coordinator — Mike Denbrock, who just oversaw one of the nation’s most potent passing offenses — is headed back to Notre Dame. It’ll make for an interesting offseason for Kelly and the Tigers, as they will have to replace both coordinators after going 10-3 (6-2 SEC) and finishing the season with a convincing bowl game victory over a Power Five opponent, minus a Heisman winning quarterback.
“I want to thank each of these coaches for their work on behalf of our football program and our institution during their time here,” Kelly said in a statement, per NOLA.com. “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.”
The Tigers’ defense ranked 108th in the nation this season, while their offense ranked first in scoring.
LSU’s offseason promises to be one of the most intriguing in college football. Kelly has made a bold gamble, cleaning house on defense and losing his offensive chief. His success hinges on finding the right pieces to transform a historically bad defense while maintaining an offensive juggernaut. Only time will tell if his gambit pays off.
