LSU has announced that Austin Thomas, who left to join the USC staff in February, is back with the Tigers as assistant athletic director/director of player personnel.

Thomas’ departure earlier this year was seen as a blow to LSU’s recruiting efforts. FootballScoop.com named Thomas the Player Personnel Director of the Year for 2015, quoting LSU defensive line coach Ed Orgeron on Thomas’ role in recruiting:

“Austin is a great evaluator. He spends countless hours devouring film and is highly organized when gathering information on a player,” Orgeron said. “From talent identification and evaluation, to connecting with the players and managing all of their visits, Austin runs all of it. He’s the main reason for our recruiting success.”

The LSU media release states that after three months on the Trojans staff, Thomas decided to return to the Tigers.

“We are excited to have Austin back on the staff,” Les Miles said. “We hated to see him leave so we were thrilled when we were able to get him back. Austin is extremely talented and detail-oriented and he’s played a big role in our recruiting success over the last three years.”