Here's a quick look at where the LSU coaching staff stands as of Thursday, Jan. 18.
But first, a quick glance at how the Tigers finished in 2017.
2017 Result
9-4 overall, third place in the SEC West (6-2), lost to Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl.
2017 Coaching Staff
Head coach: Ed Orgeron
Offensive coordinator / QBs: Matt Canada
Defensive coordinator / ILBs: Dave Aranda
Running backs: Tommie Robinson
Tight Ends: Steve Ensminger
Offensive line: Jeff Grimes
Receivers: Mickey Joseph
Defensive line: Pete Jenkins
Outside Linebackers: Dennis Johnson
Defensive backs: Corey Raymond
2017 Key Off-the-Field Staff
Head strength coach: Tommy Moffitt
General Manager: Austin Thomas
Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Derek Ponamsky
2018 Changes
The worst kept secret in coaching came to fruition after LSU's bowl loss to Notre Dame, the University and Matt Canada were done. They reached "mutual agreement" that he would no longer be part of the team with Canada accepting approximately half of the $3.3 million owed him to leave now. Steve Ensminger was promoted to offensive coordinator / QBs.
Long-time NFL assistants Jerry Sullivan (passing game coordinator) and Greg McMahon (special teams coordinator) both were promoted from consultants to full-time coaching positions.
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes left to become offensive coordinator at BYU. O brought in James Cregg (with whom he had coached at USC) from the Chargers, where Cregg served as assistant offensive line coach.
Pete Jenkins will no longer serve as a full-time assistant; but he'll always be O's guy. In connection with the move, O's former grad assistant Dennis Johnson moves from outside linebackers to defensive line coach.
Texas A&M brought the checkbook, bitcoin & a few oil derricks, but somehow (read: $10 million fully guaranteed) LSU was able to retain defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
General manager Austin Thomas left in December to accept what reportedly was going to be a similar role at Tennessee on Jeremy Pruitt's new staff. However, upon arrival, the job was different than expected. Thomas did not join the staff and has yet to accept a new job. Sources tell FootballScoop Ole Miss remains the likely landing spot for Thomas; but the University has to work through significant unintended consequences of a poorly written / designed IAWP rule (more on that to come on this site soon). It remains to be seen how LSU splits up Thomas's work load including whether they plan to hire or promote to lead recruiting. Stay tuned....
We reported yesterday LSU is considering hiring former LSU and Patriot running back Kevin Faulk in player development but that one is not final (IAWP issues as well). Will keep you updated.
Tenth Assistant
Currently the defensive staff is just Dennis Johnson on the front, Corey Raymond in the back and Aranda with the linebackers. Early reports out of Baton Rouge was LSU was looking to hire a safeties coach; but we wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers hire someone to work with the Tigers outside backers either. Stay tuned...
2018 Coaching Staff
Head coach: Ed Orgeron
Offensive coordinator: Steve Ensminger
Associate head coach/defensive coordinator: Dave Aranda
Special teams coordinator: Greg McMahon
Assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator/running backs: Tommie Robinson
Offensive line: James Cregg
Receivers: Mickey Joseph
Passing game coordinator: Jerry Sullivan
Defensive line: Dennis Johnson
Defensive backs: Corey Raymond
10th Assistant: TBD
2018 Key Off-the-Field Staff
Head strength coach: Tommy Moffitt
Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Derek Ponamsky
Disclaimer: The information provided here is current as of time of publishing. Any further changes to the staff will be posted to The Scoop.