In the high-stakes world of college football, the difference between a championship contender and a team stuck in mediocrity often comes down to one thing: coaching. With the 2024 season on the horizon, LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly is making strategic moves to bolster his staff, bringing in two seasoned football coaches who are set to make an immediate impact on Baton Rouge. These hires are part of Kelly’s ongoing effort to elevate LSU’s football program, particularly after a solid 2023 campaign where the Tigers showed flashes of greatness but ultimately fell short of the ultimate prize.
Let’s dive into the details of these new hires and how they could shape LSU’s football future.
### A Program Built on Success
Brian Kelly, who joined LSU in 2022 after a successful tenure at Notre Dame, has wasted no time in building a football program that blends the rich traditions of LSU football with modern, winning strategies. After a strong first season that saw LSU secure an SEC West title, Kelly has focused on solidifying key areas within his coaching staff to ensure continued success. His goal is clear: not just to compete but to dominate, and these hires are part of that mission.
The two new additions to Kelly’s staff bring a wealth of experience and specialized expertise. Both coaches have proven track records of success at the highest levels of college football, and their hiring sends a message that LSU is serious about competing for SEC and national titles year in and year out.
### Hire #1: Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady
One of the first moves Brian Kelly made to strengthen his staff was the hiring of Joe Brady, a familiar name in the world of LSU football. Brady, who served as LSU’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach during the Tigers’ magical 2019 season that culminated in a national championship, is returning to Baton Rouge to once again help lead the offense.
Brady’s previous stint at LSU was nothing short of historic. In 2019, he played a crucial role in the development of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and helped transform the Tigers’ offense into one of the most explosive units in college football history. The combination of Brady’s innovative approach to the passing game and Burrow’s elite skill set resulted in an offensive juggernaut that averaged 568 yards and 48 points per game.
After his time at LSU, Brady moved on to the NFL, where he worked as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. While his stint in the NFL didn’t have the same success, Brady’s ability to adapt to the professional game and learn from some of the best minds in football was invaluable. Now, back at LSU, Brady brings that wealth of experience with him.
As offensive coordinator, Brady will be tasked with continuing to develop LSU’s offense, which showed great potential in 2023. Quarterback Jayden Daniels made significant strides under Kelly and his staff, and with Brady’s arrival, there’s an expectation that LSU’s passing attack will take the next step. Brady’s ability to design creative and dynamic offensive schemes could unlock even more from an already-talented group of skill position players, including wide receivers Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy.
While Brady’s return is a familiar and exciting development for LSU fans, it’s also a statement of intent. LSU’s offense needs to evolve with the times, especially in an SEC where high-scoring, fast-paced offenses are becoming the norm. Brady is the ideal coach to help LSU stay ahead of the curve.
### Hire #2: Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele
While offense often grabs the headlines in modern college football, the importance of a rock-solid defense cannot be overstated. That’s where LSU’s second hire comes into play: Kevin Steele, one of the most respected defensive minds in the sport.
Steele’s resume speaks for itself. He has over 30 years of coaching experience, including stints as a defensive coordinator at programs like Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee. He has consistently fielded tough, hard-nosed defenses that are built on speed, physicality, and discipline. Steele’s defenses are known for being aggressive and for creating turnovers, two traits that could take LSU’s defense to the next level.
In his most recent position as defensive coordinator at Auburn, Steele’s defense was one of the toughest in the SEC, and his ability to mold players into a cohesive unit was evident. At Alabama, Steele worked under Nick Saban, learning from one of the most successful coaching minds in football history. That experience will be invaluable as he works to transform LSU’s defense.
For Kelly and LSU, bringing Steele on board is a move to ensure that the Tigers’ defense matches the high standard set by their offense. LSU’s defense showed promise in 2023, but there were areas—particularly in pass coverage and tackling—that needed improvement. Steele will bring an aggressive, in-your-face style of defense that should make LSU a more complete team.
Steele will also have the opportunity to work with an impressive group of defensive players. LSU’s front seven, led by linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., is one of the most athletic in the SEC, and Steele’s schemes should allow them to be even more disruptive. The secondary, which has shown flashes of potential, will also benefit from Steele’s expertise in defensive backfield play. If Steele can get the Tigers’ defense to play with consistency and discipline, LSU will be a team no one wants to face, especially in the high-octane SEC West.
### The Synergy Between Brady and Steele
While Joe Brady’s hiring signals a commitment to explosive offense, Kevin Steele’s arrival highlights the importance of a balanced team—one that is capable of stopping opposing offenses just as effectively as it scores. The synergy between Brady’s offensive ingenuity and Steele’s defensive prowess will be critical for LSU’s success moving forward.
In today’s college football landscape, the best teams are those that excel in both phases of the game. Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State have consistently been able to dominate because they can score at will and shut down opposing offenses. By pairing two top-tier coordinators like Brady and Steele, Kelly is sending a message that LSU is not just looking to compete for SEC titles, but for national championships.
### What This Means for LSU Football
With these two new hires, Brian Kelly has made it clear that LSU is not content with just being competitive in the SEC. He wants to win. The hiring of Joe Brady and Kevin Steele brings a renewed sense of optimism to Baton Rouge as both coaches bring a championship pedigree to the program.
For LSU fans, these moves represent a new chapter in the Tigers’ quest for another national championship. Kelly has built a solid foundation in his first two years, and with these strategic hires, the Tigers are poised for even greater success in the years to come. The 2024 season could be one where LSU takes another big step toward returning to the pinnacle of college football.
In the end, great teams are built on great coaching, and with Brady and Steele now in the fold, LSU’s future looks as bright as ever.