Yesterday, coach Brian Kelly opened up about the offensive coordinator position and potential candidates. More specifically, he spoke about the possibility of searching internally, with quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton already on staff.
Coach Brian Kelly discusses possibility of promoting internally for open offensive coordinator position
Yesterday, coach Mike Denbrock was officially picked up for the offensive coordinator position at Notre Dame. Over the last two seasons, Denbrock served at the same position under coach Brian Kelly at LSU.
In just two years, the veteran offensive mind worked wonders in Baton Rouge. After putting together a solid 2022 campaign, he turned the Tigers into one of the most formidable offenses in all of college football in 2023.
However, with Denbrock headed back up north, itâs time for coach Brian Kelly to begin looking for some possible replacements. Notably, the future of the LSU offensive coordinator position may already be on staff.
So far, two names who have surfaced as major candidates for the opening are current quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton. Yesterday, coach Kelly spoke about the potential of an internal hire.
âItâs important that I think anytime you have vacancies that you evaluate the staff that you have,â the Tiger head coach said on Wednesday. âWe have the number one offense in the country. And for me not to evaluate the staff for those kinds of openings I think would be foolish.â
Both coaches have shown flashes throughout their young careers. Sloan has spent the last 11 years in Louisiana (2013-21 Louisiana Tech, 2022-23 LSU), while Hankton is entering his 10th year of SEC experience (2015-17 Vanderbilt, 2018-21 Georgia, 2022-23 LSU).
With Mike Denbrock officially leaving, both Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton have a fantastic opportunity coming up on New Yearâs Day. Last Friday, coach Brian Kelly announced that the pair will serve as co-offensive coordinators in the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin.
In a way, the upcoming bowl game very well could be a live interview of sorts. If they do well, donât be surprised if one or both coaches receive a promotion heading into the 2024 season.
In just a matter of days, LSU will face off against Wisconsin in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. The matchup will take place on New Yearâs Day in Tampa, FL, and will be broadcast live at 11:00 a.m. CST on ESPN2.
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