The LSU Football team didn't have to make a ton of moves on the coaching staff this offseason as both coordinators will return for the 2025 season. The lone positional coach to depart was tight ends Coach Slade Nagle who departed for Houston's offensive coordinator job. When Nagle left it created an opening on the staff for Brian Kelly to either commit a Coach full time to special teams or in another role.
When Florida State fired offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, LSU fans wanted to bring Atkins on as an analyst after he steered elite recruit Solomon Thomas to LSU. Based on Atkins' resume, the Tigers had no chance at getting him on board as an analyst yet the result was even better for the Tigers.
Brian Kelly officially hired Alex Atkins as the team's Tight Ends Coach and Run Game Coordinator.
LSU signed new offensive assistant Alex Atkins to a three-year deal that starts at $250,000 and jumps annually, according to a copy of the contract. Details here:https://t.co/2RWPMJ52i6
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) February 5, 2025
The addition of Alex Atkins is massive for the Tigers for a few reasons and when it's all said and done, Atkins hiring will be one of Brian Kelly's best decisions at LSU.
The LSU Football team has struggled to find an effective rushing attack during Brian Kelly's tenure at LSU outside of Jayden Daniels' production. Down the stretch of the season, Brian Kelly was involving himself with the offensive prep and play calling hoping to assist the Tigers offense which did improve.
In 2022, Alex Atkins Florida State offense was one of two teams to average atleast 270 passing yards per game and 210 rushing yards per game. The Seminoles offense finished third in explosive play rate at 17.15% which would be much welcomed in Baton Rouge.
Where LSU will gain the biggest boost from having Alex Atkins on the staff is on the recruiting trail as Atkins is one of the best recruiters in the Country. The Tigers saw this first hand as they tried to flip Solomon Thomas but, he was committed to Alex Atkins not Florida State. Atkins can help the Tigers recruiting and building relationships with Tight Ends but, his existing relationships with offensive line recruits will only help the Tigers in landing top players.
While Atkins biggest ties are in Florida, he does have experience in Louisiana as he coach Tulane's offensive line from 2016-2018. The experience In-State will only help as Atkins looks to give the Tigers a boost keeping top players In-State.
In Atkins, the Coaching Staff also adds a Coach that could fill multiple positions if LSU loses Coaches later down the line.
If LSU either loses Offensive Line Coach Brad Davis to another coaching job or if the Tigers have to move on from Brad Davis, the Tigers have a clear replacement in Alex Atkins. The former Florida State coach is one of the top recruiters at the position and developed a ton of talent at the position and would be a top choice for LSU in any offseason if the Tigers lost Davis.
Even if the LSU Football team were to lose Offensive Coordinator Joe Sloan or if Joe Sloan were to leave the Tigers for any reason, Atkins would be a top candidate for any school. While Sloan is LSU's offensive coordinator he adds another Coach to the staff with Coordinator experience to his staff which will only help in his development as a Coordinator.
The results in Year One will be important as LSU pushes for a College Football Playoff appearance but, Alex Atkins will have a massive impact on the Tigers success in 2025.