Former LSU Tigers defensive coordinator Matt House is one of the biggest reasons why one of the most talented teams in college football underwhelmed in 2023. While LSU loses Heisman winner Jayden Daniels in 2024, the TIgers’ search for a new defensive play-caller means it’s time to evaluate LSU defensive coordinator candidates to replace House.
House joined LSU in 2022, leaving behind the Kansas City Chiefs to make an NFL return. It was his second stint as a defensive coordinator at the college level, with Brian Kelly’s hire ultimately proving costly. Now that House is gone, the LSU coaching search for a new defensive architect is on.
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- LSU Tigers defense 2023: 424.7 total yards per game allowed (110th), 6.0 yards per play allowed (99th), 46.3% third-down conversion rate allowed (120th)
Let’s dive into a few potential LSU defensive coordinator candidates for 2024.
Top LSU defensive coordinator candidates for 2024
Jim Leonhard, Illinois football analyst
Kelly and the Tigers will likely prioritize SEC experience, which would push Jim Leonhard down the list of LSU defensive coordinator candidates. However, if the Tigers want one of the best defensive minds at the helm than Leonhard’s track record as a defensive coordinator should speak for itself.
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While Leonhard wasn’t serving as a coordinator in 2023, he was a lead defensive analyst for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Before that, he was the mastermind behind one of the best defenses in the Power 5 with a large sample size to back up his resume.
| PPG | Total YPG | 3rd Down % | Yards per Play | |
| 2017 | 13.9 (2nd) | 262.1 (2nd in FBS) | 29.1% (4th) | 4.2 (3rd in FBS) |
| 2018 | 22.6 (27th) | 344.2 (24th) | 37.43% (48th) | 5.4 (50th) |
| 2019 | 16.9 (8th) | 288.6 (4th) | 27.27% (1st) | 4.6 (6th) |
| 2020 | 17.4 (9th) | 299.9 (4th) | 28.74% (5th) | 4.9 (19th) |
| 2021 | 16.2 (3rd) | 239.7 (1st) | 29.34% (2nd) | 4.0 (1st) |
| 2022 | 21.9 (24th) | 308.6 (9th) | 32.54% (15th) | 4.6 (11th) |
The 41-year-old should be looking for an opportunity to accelerate his coaching career and LSU is the perfect landing spot. As a former safety, he’d be the perfect teacher for four-star safety signee Dashawn McBryde. Leonhard would help maximize Louisiana’s rich defensive talent, bring in better schemes to confuse SEC quarterbacks and he can emphasize quality coaching for Tigers’ defensive backs. If LSU is willing to go outside the conference, Leonhard should be a top target.
Lance Guidry, Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator
When evaluating LSU defensive coordinator candidates, it’s important to recognize the importance of roots in Louisiana. The next TIgers’ defensive coordinator will be part of recruiting, which means knowing the hot spots for talent in the state and having good relationships with high school coaches. Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is a Wels, Louisiana native who played at McNeese State University and then coached at two Louisiana high schools (Leesville, Carencro).
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Of course, Louisiana roots aren’t the only reason to hire Guidry. The 52-year-old Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator did excellent work as the play-caller for the Marshall Thundering Herd from 2021-’22. Thanks to his success there, he was hired to fix Miami’s defense and he did just that.
| Year | Total YPG | PPG | Yards per Play | 3rd Down Success rate | RZ Scoring Att. per Game |
| 2022 Miami defense | 378.3 (52nd) | 28 (66th) | 5.6 (80th) | 42.57% (100th) | 4.0 (94th) |
| 2023 Miami defense | 334.7 (26th) | 24.1 (48th) | 5.1 (36th) | 34.76% (30th) | 3.9 (88th) |
The only thing missing from Guidry’s resume is SEC experience. However, the proof of his coaching ability comes from what he did at Marshall followed by his work with the Hurricanes’ defense. Pair that with his connections and roots to Louisiana, you have a top candidate for LSU.
Blake Baker, Missouri Tigers defensive coordinator
As previously mentioned, Louisiana connections and SEC experience are factors when comparing LSU defensive coordinator candidates. Not only has Blake Marber been one of the SEC’s best defensive architects over the last two seasons, he also coached LSU Tigers linebackers in 2021.
It’s not Baker’s only experience in Louisiana. While the 41-year-old grew up in Texas, he played linebacker at Tulane (200-’04). A few years into his coaching career, he joined Louisana Tech as the safeties coach and then was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. At Missouri, he turned one of the worst defenses in college football into one of the most respectable units in the Power 5.
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| Year | Total YPG | PPG | Yards per Play | 3rd Down Success rate | RZ Scoring Att. per Game |
| 2021 Missouri defense | 439.6 (104th) | 27.0 (109th) | 6.1 (105th) | 43.31% (101st) | 4.3 (101st) |
| 2022 Missouri defense | 344.2 (29th) | 22.7 (54th) | 5.1 (36th) | 35.47% (36th) | 3.3 (32nd) |
| 2023 Missouri defense | 347.8 (38th) | 21.8 (28th) | 5.2 (40th) | 38.1% (53rd) | 3.0 (28th) |
Baker’s numbers at Missouri speak volumes of his coaching ability and it’s not as if that program has ever been a recruiting hot spot. If he can do that at Mizzou, one can only imagine what Baker could accomplish with LSU’s talent.
Travis Williams, Arkansas Razorbacks defensive coordinator
Kelly will prioritize defensive coordinators who have proven themselves in the SEC. While Travis Williams has only had a season with the Arkansas Razorbacks and it takes more time for real changes to go into effect, he made the Razorbacks’ defense better in his first season.
| Year | Total YPG | PPG | Yards per Play | 3rd Down Success | RZ Scoring Att. per Game |
| 2022 Arkansas defense | 469.3 (124th) | 36.3 (101st) | 6.3 (121st) | 45.66% (116th) | 4.0 (94th) |
| 2023 Arkansas defense | 363.2 (43rd) | 29.3 (82nd) | 5.6 (73rd) | 38.46% (59th) | 3/9 (86th) |
Williams doesn’t have connections to Louisana, but he has roots across the SEC. The 41-year-old was a legend at linebacker for the Auburn Tigers, becoming part of their All-Decade Team and being named first-team All-Sec in 2024. He spent a season with the Atlanta Falcons, coached in Georgia then spent 2014-’20 on Auburn’s. coaching staff. The Tigers will likely pursue higher-end options first, but Williams is a quality target if the top choices pass on the job.
