Bo Davis confident in what Tigers are getting in new LSU defensive line coach Kyle Williams

With Bo Davis out, and Kyle Williams in as the LSU football defensive line coach, Davis took some time to speak on the latest hire, and what Tiger fans can expect to see from Williams in 2025.

Former Tiger DL coach Bo Davis gives encouraging first review of what LSU fans can expect out of his replacement, Kyle Williams

Just a little over one full year ago, LSU football fans were only just starting to get familiar with at-the-time defensive line coach Bo Davis.

After the complete restructuring of the Tiger defensive coaching staff during the 2024 offseason, Davis was expected to be in Baton Rouge for at least the next three seasons, with him set to be one of the highest paid assistants in college football.

That said, as we find ourselves 14 months into the future, we now know that the marriage would end up being a short-lived one, with opportunity knocking just one season into his return to the purple and gold.

On February 27, it was announced that the long-time Louisiana-based coach would be signing with the New Orleans Saints, leaving head coach Brian Kelly with yet another defensive line coaching search ahead of the 2025 season.

“It was just an opportunity that presented itself, and I think it was a good opportunity for me and my family,” Davis said while speaking with the media Monday evening. “I love LSU, and when this opportunity presented itself, it wasn’t far from there.”

Bo Davis discusses his move to leave @LSUfootball for @Saints and what #LSU is getting in his replacement, Tiger great Kyle Williams. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/RJoZny6u4U

— Jacques Doucet New (@WAFB9Sports) March 10, 2025

As much of a gain as this is for the Saints, under new head coach Kellen Moore, it might be even more of a loss for Brian Kelly and the Tigers. In just one season with the purple and gold, Davis helped an injury-riddled defensive line group to show some serious improvement, alongside edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples.

Not only did the group improve on their sack numbers from the season prior (31 to 34), but they nearly doubled their forced fumble total, showing just how much of a mentality shift there was during the 2024 season.

Fortunately, with LSU being one of the biggest brands in college football, there’s not exactly a shortage of options when it comes to unexpected job searches. In turn, it didn’t take long for head coach Brian Kelly to find a replacement, as former standout LSU defensive lineman Kyle Williams is set to make his way back to Baton Rouge under a three-year contract.

Ex-LSU and Buffalo Bills star defensive lineman Kyle Williams has accepted the defensive line coaching job at LSU, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.

Williams, whom @whalexander_ previously reported as the target for the job, was most recently a high school DC in Louisiana.… pic.twitter.com/K7WPNM0CBO

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 6, 2025

While experience is something of an unknown when it comes to this hire in particular, it’s also one that has already started to garner some praise, particularly from his predecessor, Bo Davis, who actually coached Williams back when he attended LSU from 2002-2005.

“I think they’re getting a good person, a good coach, and I think it’s going to be tremendous for him,” Davis continued during his Monday press conference. “The wealth of knowledge that he brings from the game to those young men, I think is going to be unbelievable.”

With LSU football having officially started spring practice earlier this month, Tiger fans won’t be waiting along to get their first glimpse at a Kyle Williams led defensive line, as the program is expected to host their annual National L Club Spring Game on April 12, in Tiger Stadium.

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