Since the Nov. 30 announcement that Lane Kiffin accepted the LSU job, speculation has swirled over which assistants would follow him to Baton Rouge and which would remain at Ole Miss. That conversation soon grew more complicated, with reports of longtime LSU staffers staying put, prominent assistants departing, and others returning to work for Kiffin’s former employer.
That speculation is now settled. LSU has finalized its coaching staff, officially setting roles for the 2026 season.
The announcement revealed more than a simple list of assistants. It clarified responsibilities, underscored deliberate title inflation designed to justify salaries and upward mobility, and quietly defined who will coach and recruit on the field versus who will advise behind the scenes. It also offered early signals about LSU’s next moves in the transfer portal, particularly on offense.
Offensively, LSU emphasized influence as much as expertise. Charlie Weis Jr. Takes over as offensive coordinator, while Joe Cox holds a co-offensive coordinator title and coaches tight ends. Kevin Smith arrives as running backs coach and associate head coach, George McDonald oversees wide receivers and serves as passing game coordinator, Sawyer Jordan handles inside receivers, Dane Stevens coaches quarterbacks, and Eric Wolford anchors the offensive line.
The structure looks crowded on paper but calculated in practice.
LSU leaned heavily on coordinator and associate head coach titles to boost compensation, lure assistants from Ole Miss and provide tangible leverage for future career advancement. Kiffin emphasized that approach during his introductory press conference, framing the job around building a sustainable infrastructure rather than personal earnings.
Smith may be the most impactful offensive hire. He was seeking upward mobility, not another running backs role, and LSU delivered. The associate head coach title signals institutional trust and carries weight on the recruiting trail, particularly with elite backs.
Weis enters a prove-it season, though not without insulation. Ole Miss offenses under Kiffin and Weis ranked among the nation’s best, but Weis has yet to be viewed as a standalone architect. Surrounded by experienced voices, LSU is betting structure will ease that transition.
Defensively, LSU made its strongest statement by preserving continuity. This remains Blake Baker’s defense, supported by a reported $3 million salary and full schematic control. Corey Raymond and Jake Olson were retained in the secondary, Sterling Lucas takes over the defensive line, Kevin Peoples coaches edge rushers, Lou Spanos assists with pass rush duties, and Joe Houston leads special teams.
The most intriguing name is Chris Kiffin, who was named co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In practice, the title reflects authority and compensation more than control. Baker remains the primary architect, while Kiffin serves as a trusted lieutenant with room to grow.
Lucas’ hire quietly closed the staff while positioning LSU for future portal movement along the defensive front.
In today’s college football arms race, Kiffin tries to find any advantage in the new era. His first-year LSU staff is built to compete in the SEC.
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