NEWS ON LSU'S ASSISTANTS

Updated: Dec 3, 2021

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

While there should be a few current LSU assistants departing Baton Rouge in order to accept top jobs in the collegiate or NFL ranks, expect LSU's current staff to stay mostly intact for the upcoming bowl game.

There were reports fron Geaux 247 and others stating the Tigers would extend both OL Coach Brad Davis and longtime DBs Coach Corey Raymond, although Brian Kelly revealed those reports were false within moments of his press conference.

"I have not made any decisions based upon who will stay and who may go," Kelly said. "I haven't had any individual conversations with any of them, so any narrative out there is not coming from any conversations that I've had with them. They are well-respected and I will get an opportunity to vet out all of those coaches. They've done a great job. I know the business, they know the business. There are realities in this business. But we'll get to all of those coaches because as I mentioned earlier, they have families, they have lives, and we have to get moving in that direction."

According to a source close to one LSU assistant, Kelly still hasn't spoken with any of the current coaching staff assistants, even after his statements during Day 1.

I've been told he is focused on allowing the current staff to coach for their futures during the upcoming bowl game, using it as an audition for "on the fence" guys like LB Blake Baker, DC Daronte Jones, DL Coach Andre Carter among others.

Don't expect too much movement, except for scenarios like Baker being offered another coordinator job, etc.

"No phone call from Kelly or anything," said Priscilla Arzaga Joseph. "I think it’s a tactic he burned his bridges and has no one willing to join him. The coaching world is small. He has refused to even meet or join the recruiting process. No contact from anyone at LSU, either."

Right now, LSU's assistants are out recruiting for LSU with everything they've got....is this the right way for Kelly to treat a current staff which may include a few guys he'll likely need?

There's also the historical component of Brad Davis coaching the bowl game, rather than Kelly: not only did LSU already announce that he would be our interim coach, Davis would be LSU's first ever black head coach. Disrupting that would be a catastrophe LSU wouldn't be able to come back from.

Expect Kelly to sit back and prep for 2022, with limited presence but maximum background input.

One thing is for sure: yes, Kelly's introduction was seemingly a home run, however....if he loses key members of LSU's current staff, as well as key 2022 recruits, it could be a lukewarm start to the Kelly era.

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

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