LSU has hired Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to the same post, the program announced Friday night.
With an extensive defensive coordinator search only a year behind him, LSU head coach Les Miles quickly zeroed in on Aranda, nabbing him less than 48 hours after the Badgers' concluded their season with a Holiday Bowl victory over USC.
“This is a great hire for us,” Miles said in a statement. “Dave has an outstanding track record of producing some of the best defenses in college football. We’ve seen him up close and understand how difficult it is to have success against him.
“He’s everything that we were looking for in a defensive coordinator. He’s youthful with tremendous enthusiasm; our players are going to love him. He’s brings great defensive knowledge to our staff both as a technician and as a strategist. We are thrilled that he’s joining us.”
Aranda spent three years with the Badgers, working under head coaches Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst. Wisconsin's defensive ranks as of this writing break down as follows:
- Total defense: 3rd (268.5 yards per game)
- Yards per play: 5th (4.41)
- Scoring defense: 2nd (13.7 points per game)
- Touchdowns allowed: t-4th (22)
- Pass efficiency defense: 2nd (96.75)
- Yards per attempt allowed: 6th (5.7)
- Rush defense: 4th (95.38 yards per game)
- Yards per carry allowed: 4th (3.13)
He'll take over a defense that was strong in its own right -- and could return as many as nine starters next season.
Oh, and his opponent as LSU's defensive coordinator? Wisconsin. The Tigers will meet the Badgers at Lambeau Field on Sept. 3.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.