As Brian Kelly moves forward into Year 3 at LSU, he's nearly completed a dramatic staff overhaul for the Tigers on both sides of the ball.
After Kelly purged almost his entire defensive staff, he retooled the LSU staff with top young defensive coordinator Blake Baker, whom LSU pried away from Missouri on the heels of those Tigers's 11-win campaign; brought home Bo Davis from Texas and also added Kevin Peoples from Missouri. Corey Raymond returned to coach defensive backs.
Offensively things are still shaking out but the picture is clearing for the Tigers.
Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Joe Sloan, already on staff as the program's quarterbacks coach, will be elevated to the role of offensive play-caller.
Sloan was critical in the development of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels; he earned previous experience as a coordinator during a three-year stretch atop the offense at Louisiana Tech.
Kelly and LSU lost their play-caller, reigning FootballScoop Offensive Coordinator of the Year Mike Denbrock, to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame in late December.
LSU sought to keep Denbrock, but Notre Dame countered with an unprecedented four-year contract for Denbrock worth nearly $9 million, multiple sources told FootballScoop.
Star receivers coach Cortez Hankton is expected to take on even greater responsibility in the LSU offense as co-offensive coordinator. He's already been named the Tigers's passing game coordinator, but Hankton has widely been viewed as a future offensive coordinator and head coaching candidate.
In addition to Sloan and Hankton's promotions, sources told FootballScoop Tuesday that LSU has spoken with and is considering adding Slade Nagle, the former Tulane offensive coordinator who helped guide the Green Wave to a school-record 23 wins the past two seasons, to the staff.
Sources said Nagle would be expected to work with LSU's tight ends group and also have a hand in crafting the LSU offense. Nagle, who hails from Louisiana and played quarterback at McNeese, has worked in Louisiana or Texas nearly his entire twenty year career.
Nagle is extremely well regarded by Tulane's players and staff. There would be significant joy Uptown if Nagle were to opt to remain at Tulane.
A decision regarding the tight ends position is expected this week.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest coaching news.