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Multiple defensive coaches set to depart LSU after disappointing 2020 season
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
With the reported firing of defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, more changes appear to be on the way in the LSU coaching staff.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellinger, those changes are on the defensive side as well. Bill Johnson, the defensive line coach who joined the Tigers in 2019 after over a decade and a half in the NFL, is set to retire. In addition, Bill Busch, LSU’s safeties coach since 2018, will not return in 2021.
The Tigers ranked near the bottom of a couple of major defensive categories during the 2020 season. They allowed 492.0 yards per game, 4th-most in FBS, while giving up the 2nd-most passing yards (323.0) in the country. LSU also yielded 34.9 points per game this season.
It was an enormous step back for a team that soared to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2019. A year later, though, a severely deficient defense means that several members of the coaching staff are headed out the door as the Tigers look to hit the reset button for 2021.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
