Since Brian Kelly took over as the new head coach of the LSU Tigers, there’s been a lot of speculation and analysis regarding his coaching staff.
Kelly made it clear that he was going to pursue Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman until they both decided to stay put, with Freeman taking Kelly’s old job. Kelly was able to get some Notre Dame staffers to follow him, including co-director of strength and conditioning Jacob Flint and special teams coordinator Brian Polian. And he seemingly hit a home run in getting Frank Wilson to leave McNeese State and lead recruiting at LSU.
With coaching staff turnover comes the reality that some, if not all, of the former coach’s staff, will not be retained. And that appears to be the case for Kevin Faulk, who spent two seasons as LSU’s director of player development and two seasons as their running backs coach under Ed Orgeron.
Kevin Faulk will not be kept on as #LSU running backs coach, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic.
The former All-American LSU back and three-time Super Bowl winner spent two seasons as director of player development and the last two as RBs coach.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 9, 2021
Faulk was an All-American running back at LSU before spending 13 years with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowls while there. LSU’s all-time rushing leader in yards and rushing touchdowns was a welcome addition to the coaching staff when he returned to the school. However, it appears Kelly has someone else in mind for the position now.
It was reported that Faulk was offered an off-field coaching staff position but he declined.
.@AYSSPORTS reported LSU did offer Faulk an off the field job, likely like the one he held from 2018-19 which he did a good job with.
Haven't been able to confirm that, but worth following https://t.co/ECqcCIYXdz
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 9, 2021
While we await word on who that replacement will be, presumably Wilson, there were certainly some strong reactions to the decision on social media.
I'll just say this—Brian Kelly should've done everything he could to keep Kevin Faulk on in Baton Rouge. No better ambassador for that program. Loves that place, and knows New Orleans high schools inside and out. https://t.co/WawVagPIwl
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 9, 2021
It's hard to replace an NFL HOF… This one hurt HURTS Y'ALLLLL#LSU https://t.co/6wzVzNlpfl
— Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) December 9, 2021
What’s LSU doing??? https://t.co/TPze9fh2Dk
— Jonathan Acosta (@_jacosta) December 9, 2021
Having him and Frank IS kind of moot, but still all the love for K Faulk https://t.co/FNrq8HUMMv
— dylan sanders (@DillySanders) December 9, 2021
If nothing else, LSU fans will remember Faulk fondly for his time as a player and also for the time he got into a fight on the sidelines against Texas A&M.