Brian Kelly Makes Two New Hires: Two Skilled Coaches Join LSU Football

As the 2025 season approaches, LSU head coach Brian Kelly has made two key coaching hires to bolster his staff and strengthen the Tigers’ program moving forward. The hires, which were announced as part of the Tigers’ offseason changes, reflect Kelly’s commitment to improving both the offensive and defensive units in preparation for a competitive season in the SEC. These two skilled coaches bring with them a wealth of experience, a proven track record of success, and the ability to recruit at the highest levels. Their additions to the LSU staff come at a critical time in the program’s development as the Tigers look to continue building on their recent successes and make a push for national prominence.

In this analysis, we’ll dive into the profiles of the two new hires, explore their backgrounds and coaching philosophies, and examine how their expertise will enhance LSU’s football program. Additionally, we’ll take a closer look at the broader impact of these hires on Brian Kelly’s vision for the future of LSU football. Whether it’s refining the offense to be more dynamic or reinforcing the defense to be more dominant, Kelly’s strategic moves signal a commitment to achieving the program’s ultimate goal: championships.

The Two New Hires: A Look at Their Profiles

Brian Kelly’s two new coaching hires represent an intentional and strategic attempt to address areas of both immediate and long-term importance. Each hire fills a specific need within the program, while also bringing a fresh perspective to LSU’s coaching staff. Let’s dive deeper into their backgrounds.

1. Offensive Coordinator: Mike Denbrock

The first hire is Mike Denbrock, who has been named LSU’s new offensive coordinator. Denbrock is a familiar face for Brian Kelly, as the two have worked together in the past at Notre Dame. He has a well-established reputation as a dynamic offensive mind and a coach capable of adapting his system to the strengths of his players. Denbrock’s experience will be crucial in refining LSU’s offensive identity, especially after the departure of former offensive coordinator, and as the Tigers look to build on the progress they made in the previous seasons.

Denbrock’s career path has taken him through several top-tier programs. Before joining LSU, Denbrock had stints as the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati, where he played a pivotal role in the Bearcats’ rise to national prominence, including a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. Denbrock’s offense at Cincinnati was known for its versatility, ability to adapt to different quarterbacks, and an emphasis on balance, both in the air and on the ground. His system was highly effective, making the Bearcats one of the most dangerous teams in the Group of Five and earning Denbrock a reputation as one of the best offensive minds in the country.

At LSU, Denbrock’s main focus will be to fine-tune the offense to suit the talents of quarterback Jayden Daniels and to develop a more potent and explosive unit. He is expected to bring a more up-tempo style, relying on fast-paced, high-scoring schemes while also balancing the run and pass game. This balance will be key, especially in the SEC, where teams are known for their ferocious defenses. Denbrock’s ability to keep defenses on their heels with an unpredictable attack will be a huge asset for LSU in the 2025 season.

Denbrock has an excellent track record of developing quarterbacks, and his relationship with Daniels will be one of the most closely watched aspects of this hire. He will be tasked with helping Daniels take his game to the next level, turning him into one of the elite quarterbacks in the SEC. The dual-threat Daniels is a dynamic player who can both throw and run, and Denbrock’s ability to craft an offense around his unique skill set will be pivotal for LSU’s success.

2. Defensive Line Coach: Jamar Cain

The second major hire made by Brian Kelly is Jamar Cain, who has been brought in to serve as LSU’s new defensive line coach. Cain comes to Baton Rouge with a wealth of experience coaching defensive lines in the Power Five, and he is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in college football. His previous stops include stints at programs like Oklahoma, Arizona State, and the University of California, where he worked with some of the most talented defensive linemen in the country.

Cain’s defensive line units have consistently ranked among the best in the nation, and he has helped develop several players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL. His ability to coach players up and get the most out of them, regardless of their natural ability, has been a hallmark of his coaching philosophy. At LSU, Cain will be tasked with taking the Tigers’ already talented defensive line to the next level, ensuring that they are a disruptive force against both the run and the pass.

One of the key elements of Cain’s coaching philosophy is his emphasis on player development. He has a proven track record of improving players throughout the course of their college careers, refining their technique, and helping them maximize their potential. At LSU, Cain will have access to some of the most talented young defensive linemen in the country, and his ability to develop these players will be critical to LSU’s defense.

Cain’s hiring is particularly important for LSU as they look to establish a stronger defensive identity in 2025. LSU’s defense has often been the backbone of the program, with a reputation for producing NFL-caliber talent on the defensive line. With the SEC featuring high-powered offenses like those at Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, LSU will need to be dominant on the defensive line to disrupt opposing quarterbacks and limit big plays.

In addition to his technical skills as a coach, Cain is also known for his ability to recruit at an elite level. His experience in recruiting top-tier defensive talent will be crucial for LSU as the program looks to continue bringing in the best players from around the country. Cain’s connections and reputation will make LSU a more attractive destination for defensive recruits, which will help solidify the Tigers’ place as one of the top programs in the country.

How These Hires Impact LSU’s 2025 Season

With the addition of Denbrock and Cain, Brian Kelly has made it clear that he is committed to both sides of the ball and understands the importance of strengthening every area of the team. These hires will directly impact LSU’s preparation for the 2025 season, especially as the Tigers look to compete at the highest level in the SEC and push for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Offense Under Mike Denbrock

Under Denbrock’s guidance, LSU’s offense is expected to be more balanced and dynamic than in previous seasons. Denbrock’s system will give Jayden Daniels the freedom to utilize his full skill set, whether that’s as a traditional pocket passer or as a dual-threat quarterback capable of making plays with his legs. The Tigers’ offensive line will also need to step up, as Denbrock’s offense relies on a strong running game to keep the defense honest and open up play-action opportunities.

One of the key areas that Denbrock will need to address is LSU’s wide receiver depth. While players like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. are talented, LSU will need to develop more playmakers at the position. Denbrock’s ability to utilize different offensive schemes, such as the quick passing game and spreading the ball around to multiple receivers, will help ensure that the Tigers can keep opposing defenses on their toes.

Additionally, Denbrock’s experience at the quarterback position will be invaluable in helping Daniels take his game to the next level. Daniels’ ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and improve his deep-ball accuracy will be areas of focus under Denbrock’s tutelage. If Daniels can take that next step, LSU’s offense could become one of the most potent in the SEC.

Defensive Line Development with Jamar Cain

Jamar Cain’s hiring is equally critical for LSU’s defensive success in 2025. The Tigers have a strong defensive line, but Cain will be tasked with refining the techniques of the players and ensuring that they remain disruptive throughout the season. Players like Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo will benefit from Cain’s expertise, as he’ll focus on improving their hand placement, pass-rush techniques, and overall explosiveness.

With the SEC featuring some of the best offensive lines in the country, Cain’s ability to teach his defensive line how to win one-on-one matchups will be crucial. LSU will need to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, especially against high-powered offenses in the conference. Cain’s experience in this area will help LSU develop a front seven that can stymie even the most potent offenses.

Furthermore, Cain’s recruitment skills will help LSU continue to build depth along the defensive line. With the SEC’s increasing emphasis on high-scoring offenses, having a deep and talented defensive line will be key to LSU’s success. Cain’s ability to attract elite defensive linemen to Baton Rouge will ensure that the Tigers remain a force on defense for years to come.