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Brian Kelly addresses timeline on coaching staff decisions

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•12/14/23
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Coming off a 9-3 season in which the program failed to repeat as SEC West champions, LSU coach Brian Kelly is entering offseason evaluation mode, where he’ll decide whether some coaching staff changes need to be made.

It’s never an easy time of year for coaches, knowing they might have to send some of their own packing if there is underperformance. Still, it’s a vital part of the process.

“Yeah I mean, look, every year there’s going to be an evaluation,” Kelly said. “I evaluate what I’ve done and I have to look at, as the leader of this program, how did I lead this year? So it starts with me. Then I’ll evaluate all of our coaches, and our support staff as well.”

Kelly’s evaluation process is thorough, though the timing is tricky with the NCAA transfer portal currently open and the early signing period fast approaching.

Juggling those evaluations while knowing you could potentially have to replace an assistant or two who has maintained relationships with recruits isn’t easy. But this time of the year isn’t just for evaluating the coaching staff.

Kelly explained.

“Everybody is part of this evaluation process,” he said. “Our players will be evaluated this week, then I’ll go through a lengthy evaluation process of our entire staff, not just the coaches but the entire support staff as well.”

Still, whether Kelly intends to make coaching staff changes following his second season remains to be seen. The defense was a bit of a disaster for most of the year, leading many fans to want some changes on that side of the ball.

After all, LSU finished the year ranked 101st in total defense (409.2 yards per game allowed), 89th in rushing defense (163.8 yards per game allowed), 104th in passing defense (245.4 yards per game allowed) and 77th in scoring defense (27.8 points per game allowed).

Will Kelly oblige and bring in some new blood?

“The ultimate goal here is to win championships,” Kelly said. “But I also know that the development of this program is still ongoing, and that’s an important piece in this evaluation process as well.”