It’s official: LSU running backs will now be coached by the Tigers’ all-time leading rusher, Kevin Faulk.

News of the hire was reported Monday night. The official announcement from the team came Wednesday, with quotes from Faulk and head coach Ed Orgeron. Faulk takes over as running backs coach after Tommie Robinson’s departure for Texas A&M.

“We would like to thank Tommie (Robinson) for being a part of our national championship program and wish him the best in his future,” Orgeron said in an LSU release. “Kevin is a great teacher and mentor and someone that has earned the respect and love of our players. We are honored to have one of the greatest players in LSU history as part of our coaching staff. This is a home run hire.”

Faulk joined Orgeron’s staff in 2018 in an off-field role as Director of Player Development.

“The day I graduated high school I knew I wanted to be a coach,” Faulk said. “The coaches I had growing up meant so much to me and the community, and I knew I wanted to be that guy. To coach at my alma mater is the best thing I could ever hope for. I wear the purple and gold with pride every day, and I am ready to get going to help win another national championship.”

Faulk played at LSU from 1995-98, earning All-America honors in 1996. A member of the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Faulk departed LSU as the SEC’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 6,833.

Faulk was drafted in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. With the Patriots, Faulk scored 33 touchdowns (16 rushing, 15 receiving, 2 kickoff returns) and holds the franchise record for all-purpose yards (12,349) and kickoff return yards (4,098). He contributed to five New England Super Bowl appearances, including three wins.