LSU had a legitimate opportunity to compete for the national championship behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Its defense was the only thing that stood in the way.
The Tigers went 10-3 during the 2023 college football season and their opponents scored at least 42 points in each of their three losses. Florida State dropped 45 to begin the year. Ole Miss dropped 55 in an electric one-possession shootout. Alabama hung 42.
There was a lot of frustration surrounding the defense in Baton Rouge because the talent was there.
Harold Perkins Jr. is one of the best and most freakish linebackers in the country and was severely miss used during the fall. 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive tackle Maason Smith is going to anchor a defensive line in the NFL. The secondary added a few talented transfers during the offseason to play alongside Greg Brooks, Major Burns and Laterrance Welch.
They were in a great position for success but it never came together. LSU finished with the 105th-ranked total defense in the country while allowing an average of 417 yards per play and 28 points per game. Not great!
As a result, Brian Kelly decided to clean house on Wednesday. Defensive coordinator Matt House, defensive backs coaches Kerry Cooks and Robert Steeples, and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey were let go.
Kelly, of course, was very respectful.
I want to thank each of these coaches for their work on behalf of our football program and our institution during our time here. Decisions like these are always difficult, and we do not make them lightly, but they are made with the best interests of our program and our student-athletes in mind. Moving forward, we will continue working to build a championship-caliber coaching staff in support of our mission to graduate champions.
— Brian Kelly in a statement
The Tigers themselves were not as gracious. The players were thrilled to see them go, especially House.
Perkins posted the following image to his Instagram story shortly after the news was announced:
Brady Swinson was not nearly as subtle or cryptic. He told House and company to kick rocks. Literally. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound Oregon transfer kicked rocks on his Instagram story:
#LSU EDGE Brady Swinson on his IG Story 30 minutes ago👀 pic.twitter.com/vJV6HRAOwc
— The Jordy Culotta Show (@CulottaShow) January 3, 2024
Enough said!
The guys down in Baton Rouge were rejoicing at the news. They are excited to get a new defensive staff, but they are more excited to see the old one go.