Brian Kelly has made his first step to rebuild LSU’s defensive coaching staff, and he did it with a former All-SEC player.

Bo Davis, a former All-SEC nose guard, will serve as defensive line coach for the Tigers, coach Brian Kelly announced on Wednesday. This continues a theme for Kelly, who has focused on bringing Louisiana natives, or those with LSU ties, to LSU through the transfer portal.

Davis played for the Tigers in the early 1990s, and was a graduate assistant with the football program from 1995-97 and was a member of the strength and conditioning staff when LSU won the 2003 national championship.

Davis spent the past 3 seasons at Texas where he helped the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff in 2023 with one of the nation’s top defenses. Davis spent 6 years with the Longhorns, first as defensive tackles coach from 2011-13 and then as defensive line coach from 2021-23.

In his career, Davis has coached 17 all-conference selections and 7 all-Americans. He’s also coached players who have won the Outland Trophy, the Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 and Conference USA, along with the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

“As a defensive line coach Bo brings a wealth of proven success at both the professional and collegiate level throughout his distinguished career,” Kelly said in the announcement. “Additionally, coach Davis is an outstanding recruiter and developer of the players in his charge. I am excited to welcome back to LSU coach Bo Davis.”