LSU formally announces 11 additions to Lane Kiffin’s initial Tiger coaching staff
By Andrew Olson
Published:
LSU has formally announced the hiring of 11 new assistants on Lane Kiffin‘s initial staff.
Eight of the 11 hires follow Kiffin to LSU from Ole Miss. The other 3 arrive in Baton Rouge from SEC programs. Here are all 11 new hires:
- Offensive coordinator – Charlie Weis Jr.
- Co-offensive coordinator/tight ends – Joe Cox
- Assistant Head Coach/running backs – Kevin Smith
- Inside wide receivers – Sawyer Jordan
- Passing Game Coordinator/wide receivers – George McDonald
- Offensive line – Eric Wolford
- Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers – Chris Kiffin
- Defensive line – Sterling Lucas
- Pass rush specialist/assistant defensive line – Lou Spanos
- Special teams coordinator – Joe Houston
Wolford, Lucas and Houston are the new hires who did not follow Kiffin from Ole Miss. A veteran SEC offensive line coach, Wolford comes from Kentucky. Lucas was at South Carolina last season, and Houston was most recently on staff at Florida.
The hiring of Smith, who was also running backs coach at Ole Miss, was reported Sunday evening and made official Monday. Lucas’ hire was also made official on Monday after recent reports of Kiffin’s pursuit.
While defensive coordinator Blake Baker has been retained, there are defensive openings on Kiffin’s staff. Per NOLA.com’s Wilson Alexander, Kiffin is expected to retain edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples, cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond and safeties coach Jake Olsen to complete the defensive staff.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
