0As the LSU Tigers prepare for the 2025 football season, change is in the air, with head coach Brian Kelly confirming that two key members of his staff will not be returning. This news has already sparked a wave of speculation among fans, analysts, and recruiting circles about the impact these departures will have on the program moving forward.
Though LSU has experienced relative success under Kelly’s leadership since his arrival in 2022, including a dramatic return to relevance in the SEC and a high-profile Sugar Bowl victory, staff turnover is part of the ever-evolving nature of college football. The departures of these two staffers, though notable, are an opportunity for Kelly to re-evaluate the program, refine strategies, and make adjustments that could ultimately help LSU continue its upward trajectory.
So, who are the staffers leaving? What does their departure mean for the Tigers? And how might Brian Kelly’s coaching staff evolve as a result? Let’s break down the situation and what it could mean for LSU football in 2025 and beyond.
### The Departures: Who is Leaving?
The two LSU football staffers who will not be returning for the 2025 season are **Offensive Line Coach Brad Davis** and **Defensive Backs Coach Robert Steeples**. Both of these positions are critical to the team’s success, and their departures will undoubtedly leave significant gaps in the coaching staff.
1. **Brad Davis (Offensive Line Coach)**
Brad Davis joined the LSU program in 2021 as the offensive line coach after a stint at Arkansas, and under his tutelage, the Tigers’ offensive line improved significantly. Davis helped solidify the trenches for LSU in 2022, turning an inconsistent unit into one that was solid at both run blocking and pass protection.
Davis’ departure is notable not just because of his work on the offensive line, but because of the trajectory LSU’s offensive line seemed to be on under his leadership. After some early struggles, Davis helped bring in some highly touted recruits and was instrumental in developing the likes of tackle Will Campbell and guard Emery Jones, two players who had breakout seasons. Davis had developed a reputation as a hard-nosed, detail-oriented coach, and many believed he would be a crucial part of the team’s continued offensive growth.
However, Davis has decided to move on, and his departure raises questions about the continuity of LSU’s offensive line play. This leaves Brian Kelly with the challenge of replacing a coach who was instrumental in stabilizing one of the most important position groups on the team. Whether this change is due to personal reasons, a career move, or other factors remains to be seen, but it will certainly leave a hole to fill on Kelly’s staff.
2. **Robert Steeples (Defensive Backs Coach)**
Robert Steeples has served as LSU’s defensive backs coach since 2022, and his time with the program has been marked by some high highs and some growing pains. Under Steeples, the LSU secondary showed glimpses of greatness, especially with rising stars like safety Major Burns and cornerback Zy Alexander. His work in developing young defensive backs helped improve the overall depth of LSU’s secondary, but there were also moments when communication and execution in coverage faltered.
Steeples, a former NFL player, brought a fresh perspective to LSU’s defensive backs, and his previous coaching stops, including time with the Minnesota Vikings as an assistant special teams coordinator, allowed him to bring valuable professional experience to the program. However, while Steeples’ unit had flashes of brilliance, LSU’s pass defense occasionally struggled, especially against elite SEC offenses. His departure signals that Kelly may be looking for a more seasoned coach to handle one of the most critical aspects of a defense in today’s high-octane college football landscape.
### What This Means for Brian Kelly’s Program
With two crucial staffers departing, Brian Kelly faces the challenge of retooling his coaching staff in a way that ensures the team’s continued growth and competitiveness. While change can often be a catalyst for improvement, it also brings uncertainty, especially in key coaching areas. Let’s break down what these departures mean for the program moving forward.
#### 1. **Potential Impact on Recruiting and Player Development**
Coaching turnover often has an immediate impact on recruiting, and LSU is no exception. With the departures of Davis and Steeples, Kelly will need to ensure that the recruits who had committed to playing under these coaches are still on board. Both of these position groups—offensive line and defensive backs—are critical to LSU’s long-term success in the SEC, and any shifts in coaching staff could cause some unease among recruits.
In particular, the Tigers’ success in recruiting top-tier offensive linemen like Will Campbell and Emery Jones could be influenced by Davis’ departure. Kelly will need to quickly hire a successor who can maintain the relationships Davis built and continue LSU’s trend of bringing in elite talent on the offensive line. If the Tigers want to keep competing at the highest level of college football, ensuring the continuity of a strong recruiting pipeline is paramount.
On the defensive side, Steeples’ departure leaves an opening to build upon LSU’s strong defensive backfield. Recruiting and developing high-level cornerbacks and safeties will be a top priority for the new defensive backs coach. If Kelly can find a coach who is even more effective at developing players in the secondary, LSU could see further growth in that area, especially considering the defensive backfield’s importance in a conference like the SEC.
#### 2. **A Chance for Brian Kelly to Reinvent the Program**
Every coaching change presents an opportunity for a fresh perspective. While Brad Davis and Robert Steeples both played key roles in LSU’s development, their departures offer Brian Kelly a chance to rethink certain aspects of the program. For example, LSU’s offensive line and secondary have shown improvement in recent years but still have room for growth, and this change could be Kelly’s opportunity to bring in coaches who fit more seamlessly with the evolving offensive and defensive schemes he wants to run.
The Tigers have experienced a noticeable shift in culture since Kelly’s arrival, and these changes could be part of a broader effort to ensure LSU’s long-term success. Kelly will likely use these changes to tweak the staff dynamics and develop more efficient and modern coaching methods. Whether it’s incorporating more cutting-edge analytics or altering how the team approaches player development, this could be an opportunity for the program to align even more closely with Kelly’s vision for success.
#### 3. **Replacing Key Staffers: Who Are the Candidates?**
With Davis and Steeples gone, Kelly’s next task is finding the right replacements—coaches who can build on the foundation Davis and Steeples set. For the offensive line position, Kelly could look at experienced coaches who have a strong track record of developing offensive line talent and can quickly transition LSU’s young players into stars. Possible candidates may include former coaches from powerhouse programs or NFL assistants with a history of turning around offensive line units.
In the defensive backfield, LSU could target coaches who have experience working with elite cornerbacks and safeties in the SEC. Kelly may also look for a coach who has a reputation for excelling in recruiting, especially given the importance of LSU’s defensive secondary in a league that prides itself on high-powered offenses.
Regardless of who Kelly hires to replace Davis and Steeples, the key will be continuity and player development. LSU needs coaches who can hit the ground running and continue to build upon the foundation laid by their predecessors.
### Conclusion: A New Chapter for LSU Football
As LSU transitions into the 2025 season, the departures of Brad Davis and Robert Steeples will inevitably raise questions and stir discussions among fans and analysts alike. However, as with any change in college football, these departures represent an opportunity for Brian Kelly to further refine his vision for the program. The challenges of replacing key staffers are real, but Kelly’s experience and ability to adapt have already been demonstrated since his arrival at LSU.
While the changes will take time to fully manifest, they also reflect Kelly’s desire to continue improving the Tigers’ football program and keep LSU at the forefront of SEC and national contention. For LSU fans, the hope is that these coaching changes will help elevate the program to new heights, ensuring that the Tigers remain a powerhouse for years to come.