LSU football fans should get used to seeing interim head coach Brad Davis on the sidelines, because he won't be going anywhere soon.
The program announced that the Baton Rouge native would be staying on as a member of new head coach Brian Kelly's staff for the 2022 season. He was announced shortly after the Tigers' season finale victory over Texas A&M as the man who would lead the Tigers in their bowl game, with Ed Orgeron bowing out before his successor was officially hired.
"Our offensive line has made tremendous strides under his leadership this season, and his expertise and technical knowledge of offensive line play will remain vital to our program," Kelly said in a statement. "We are thrilled he will continue to recruit and develop elite student-athletes at LSU.”
Though it was lauded by the new head coach, the offensive line was one of the many groups on the 2021 LSU squad that saw struggles throughout the year despite a group laden with veterans. But there were high points, including a record rushing performance by Ty Davis-Price in a victory over Florida, with the group improving as the season wore on.
While Davis' leadership will remain the same, there will be a lot of new names in faces up and down the program. A wave of transfers is possible, with quarterback Max Johnson among the first to enter the NCAA transfer portal. That decision was coupled by the decommitment of his young brother, Jake Johnson, a TE who was set to arrive in Baton Rouge next season.
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QB Myles Brennan and CB Eli Ricks had already entered the transfer portal prior to the end of the season. WR Deion Smith and edge rusher Landon Jackson have also opted to transfer.
The Tigers had already parted ways with longtime strength coach Tommy Moffitt, he'll be replaced by Jacob Flint, who held that position at Notre Dame. Longtime LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond is headed to Florida with former UL coach Billy Napier. Kelly also pulled former Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Polian, who will replace the retired Greg McMahon in Baton Rouge.
But the most notable addition is that of Frank Wilson, who rejoins the LSU staff as an associate head coach. The New Orleans native is a two-time national recruiter of the year, and will be an important piece as LSU's new leader gets acclimated to the recruiting rhythms of Louisiana and the larger SEC.
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The Tigers, led by Davis, will next be in action on Jan. 4 against Kansas State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.