Brian Kelly has filled out his new LSU coaching staff, and he went back to his Cincinnati roots to build a new identity on the offensive side of the ball.
That came Saturday, officially, with the hire of former Cincinnati Bearcats offensive guru Mike Denbrock, who will join Kelly in Baton Rouge as the TIgers' offensive coordinator. Denbrock led Cincinnati and star quarterback Desmond Ridder to an undefeated regular season and the first non-Power Five berth in the College Football Playoff, which ended with a loss to top-ranked Alabama.
"He’s one of the best offensive minds in the game, and we share an established trust, respect, and understanding that will help us maximize the talent of our players immediately,” Kelly said in a news release. “His offenses have maintained a consistent level of excellence throughout his entire career, and he understands how to develop players at every position. I’m excited for him to join our staff and elevate our program.”
Before joining the Bearcats, Denbrock served as an assistant in multiple roles with Kelly at Notre Dame, including as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2014. He's also touted as a top-level recruiter.
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Kelly has also tabbed Joe Sloan as the quarterbacks coach and Jamar Cain as the running game coordinator and defensive line coach, along with Matt House as the defensive coordinator and Robert Steeples as a defensive assistant. Kelly had initially targeted Notre Dame's Tommy Rees as his pick for OC, but he opted to remain in South Bend under new head coach Marcus Freeman, according to a report from The Advocate. LSU has one more assistant coach opening, which would likely be used for a wide receivers coach.
The Tigers face Kansas State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on Jan. 4, though that will be led by interim coach Brad Davis. The new staff won't lead the Tigers into their first game until the 2022 season.