LSU is expected to promote senior defensive analyst John Jancek to the full-time staff to coach Jack linebackers and pass rushers, sources told FootballScoop on Tuesday.
Sources also confirmed that former UConn head coach Bob Diaco will come aboard as an analyst, where he's expected to help with the Tigers' special teams in addition to other areas.
The moves are responses to head coach Brian Kelly moving special teams coordinator/recruiting coordinator Brian Polian to an executive off-field role, a move that had been in the works for a while but was first reported last week.
To replace Polian, Kelly interviewed multiple strong candidates to head special teams, but instead chose to promote Jancek while splitting special teams duties among multiple coaches on the staff. It is possible Jancek also receives the title of coordinator; but sources tell FootballScoop multiple coaches will share responsibilities for various teams roles.
Jancek joined Kelly's staff as a senior analyst last year, and brings decades of coordinator experience with him to the on-field staff. He previously headed defenses for Wayne State, Hillsdale College, Grand Valley State (under Kelly), Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Colorado State.
Diaco spent 2014-16 at UConn, and previously coordinated defenses for Kelly at Cincinnati and Notre Dame, in addition to Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and Purdue. Prior to that, he coordinated special teams for Western Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Virginia. He spent 2022 as the defensive line coach for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.