Brian Kelly announces Jimmy Lindsey has long road of recovery after release from hospital
On Tuesday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly provided an update regarding Tigers defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey‘s condition.
The program released a statement last week after reports spread of a health scare surrounding Lindsey.
“Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey will step away from the LSU Football program as he deals with a personal health matter. In Coach Lindsey’s absence, John Jancek will serve as defensive line coach and Bob Diaco will coach outside linebackers and special teams,” Kelly said, via Jacques Doucet. “Our prayers are with Coach Lindsey and his family, and we ask that their privacy be respected. We look forward to his return to the program.”
LSU hired Lindsey in May. Lindsey had spent the past two seasons as South Carolina‘s defensive line coach. While there, Lindsey boosted the Gamecocks to a strong finish in the 2022 season with wins over Clemson and Tennessee.
Additionally, Lindsey produced defensive lineman Zacch Pickens, who the Bears selected with No. 64 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Lindsey also boasts coaching experience at Illinois, Western Kentucky and Chatanooga. Kelly was thrilled to add Lindsey to the program this spring.
“Jimmy is an outstanding defensive line coach and we are excited to welcome him to our staff,” Kelly said. “He will do a great job of not only coaching our players on the field, but also helping them develop off the field as we continue our commitment to graduating champions.
“Jimmy has a proven track record of developing defensive linemen and I know our players are going to benefit from his expertise.”
For now, Jancek will replace Lindsey as LSU’s defensive line coach. Jancek has no shortage of experience, serving as Georgia and Tennessee‘s defensive coordinator in the past. Jancek also served under Kelly at Grand Valley State and Central Michigan.
Brian Kelly prepares for historic season
Despite the significant setback, LSU is expected to have a fantastic season. Last week, the 61-year-old head coach revealed his expectations for the upcoming season.
“I don’t want to overuse this phrase, but I want to say that there should be a realistic expectation that everything we do, we do a little bit better [than last year],” Kelly said. “Does that mean we’re gonna win every game we play? I would like to. But I think you have to have a realistic expectation that the work we did last year we should be able to build upon.
“We go in with the same kind of realistic expectation that we should be making some kind of incremental jump in certain areas. … They should be making those jumps. Freshmen we have to be more patient, we have to teach more, but that’s how I feel about everything we’re doing on a day-to-day basis.”