In 2025, LSU football is anticipated to add a Big 12 analyst to Brian Kelly’s staff.

As LSU football continues to position itself as a powerhouse in college football under Head Coach Brian Kelly, strategic moves on and off the field have become essential to maintaining competitiveness at the highest level. With recruiting, player development, and game strategy always at the forefront of discussion, coaching staffs across the nation are constantly evolving, adjusting, and adding new perspectives in the quest for excellence. For LSU football in 2025, the next key step appears to be adding a Big 12 analyst to Brian Kelly’s coaching staff, a move that carries potential for both immediate and long-term benefits.

This article will explore the implications of adding a Big 12 analyst, what it could mean for LSU football, and the context behind the anticipated move. With this addition, LSU football aims to gain an edge in recruiting, game preparation, and the overall strategic growth of the program as they prepare for continued success in both the SEC and on a national level.

Brian Kelly’s Vision for LSU Football: A Program on the Rise

Since taking over the reins at LSU in 2022, Brian Kelly has begun to transform the program into a well-oiled machine, with a sharp focus on development, discipline, and strategy. Kelly’s proven track record of success at Notre Dame and his experience in various conferences across the nation have made him a valuable asset to LSU’s ambitions.

Under Kelly’s leadership, LSU achieved an impressive 10-4 season in 2022, including a victory over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl. The team showed significant growth, especially with the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had a breakout season under Kelly’s tutelage. The success of 2022 was just the beginning, and LSU is expected to continue its ascent toward becoming a perennial College Football Playoff contender.

For LSU to maintain this upward trajectory, Kelly must continue to innovate and adapt to the changing landscape of college football. Part of this evolution includes bolstering the staff with fresh perspectives and specialized roles, such as the addition of a Big 12 analyst. This new addition could play a crucial role in building on Kelly’s existing foundation while helping LSU compete with the top teams in the SEC and beyond.

The Role of an Analyst in College Football

To understand why the addition of a Big 12 analyst is such a significant move for LSU football, it is essential to first grasp the importance of an analyst on a coaching staff. Analysts are often considered a bridge between the traditional coaching staff and the vast wealth of information and game film available in the digital age. Analysts are typically tasked with breaking down game film, identifying opponent tendencies, researching strategies, and offering fresh insights that can be used to improve overall team performance. They are often involved in game preparation, scout reports, and specific areas of focus, such as player development or special teams.

While analysts are not typically involved in hands-on coaching, their expertise in breaking down and interpreting game film has made them indispensable in modern football. An analyst can assist in areas such as:

• Opponent Analysis: Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies of upcoming opponents. This helps coaches create tailored strategies for each game.
• Game Plan Development: Assisting in devising offensive, defensive, and special teams schemes that exploit an opponent’s weaknesses.
• Recruiting Insight: Evaluating recruits based on their film and comparing them to the competition. Analysts can also provide key insights into potential recruits’ fit for the LSU program.
• Statistical Analysis: Using data to uncover trends, weaknesses, and opportunities that can enhance team performance.
• Film Breakdown: Assisting the coaching staff in studying and analyzing in-game footage to make improvements.

Given that college football has become more data-driven, having analysts on staff has become a key component of top-tier programs. The addition of a Big 12 analyst to Kelly’s staff in 2025 will likely bring a fresh perspective, knowledge of Big 12 teams, and perhaps specific insights into offensive or defensive schemes that could benefit LSU.

The Significance of the Big 12 Perspective

Why a Big 12 analyst specifically? The answer lies in the growing influence and talent of the Big 12 Conference. While LSU resides in the SEC, which is widely considered the most competitive conference in college football, the Big 12 has become a fertile recruiting ground and a critical conference for developing innovative strategies. The conference has seen remarkable coaching talent and dynamic offensive systems in recent years, and these could provide significant advantages to LSU as they prepare to face these teams in future non-conference games, bowls, or even the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff.

Several factors highlight why a Big 12 analyst will be of value to LSU:

1. Growing Competitiveness of the Big 12: The Big 12 has undergone a transformation in recent years, with new coaching talent and several teams improving their level of play. Teams like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Baylor have posed formidable challenges for their opponents, with each squad offering distinct offensive or defensive systems. Even as Texas and Oklahoma are slated to move to the SEC, the Big 12’s current programs continue to demonstrate innovation, making them valuable for analysis. An analyst with Big 12 experience would help LSU identify trends in these teams, their offensive and defensive playbooks, and how they approach high-stakes games.
2. Innovative Offensive Systems: The Big 12 is known for its high-scoring, fast-paced offensive playstyles. Programs like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Baylor have been known to develop unique offensive systems that rely heavily on passing, spread offenses, and fast tempo. For LSU, whose offensive schemes have evolved under Brian Kelly, an analyst with firsthand experience studying these high-flying offenses can help prepare LSU for similar tactics. Analyzing how Big 12 teams orchestrate their offenses will also assist LSU in building counter-strategies, especially when facing teams with dynamic offenses in the future.
3. Defensive Strategies in the Big 12: While the Big 12 is often known for its offensive firepower, teams like Kansas State, Baylor, and TCU have developed strong defensive units in recent years. For LSU, particularly as it seeks to maintain its defensive prowess under defensive coordinator Matt House, understanding the defensive schemes of Big 12 teams could be crucial for LSU’s development. A Big 12 analyst could provide insights into how these teams defend against up-tempo offenses and develop defensive game plans to counteract similar systems.
4. Recruiting Territory: As the sport of college football becomes increasingly national, recruiting is becoming more competitive. LSU has always recruited well in Louisiana, but the program is also looking to expand its influence into other regions, particularly the Texas area. By adding a Big 12 analyst with deep roots and knowledge of the region, LSU can continue to enhance its recruiting efforts and gain insights into how to better target high-caliber recruits in states like Texas and Oklahoma, where the Big 12 schools have traditionally dominated.

How LSU Can Benefit from a Big 12 Analyst in 2025

The addition of a Big 12 analyst in 2025 could benefit LSU in multiple ways. A few potential advantages are outlined below:

1. Increased Game Preparation: By having an analyst who understands the Big 12 conference’s offensive and defensive tendencies, LSU can increase its game preparedness. While the SEC is LSU’s primary focus, having a deeper understanding of the Big 12 teams’ strategies will provide an edge when preparing for future bowl games, non-conference games, or even playoff matchups against teams from the Big 12. The analyst’s insight could be particularly useful for breaking down game tape, discovering hidden weaknesses, and developing counter-strategies.
2. Improved Offensive and Defensive Schemes: The high-flying offenses and diverse defensive schemes of the Big 12 will provide LSU’s coaching staff with fresh ideas and approaches to improve their own strategies. LSU’s offensive coordinator and defensive staff can benefit from understanding the unique challenges posed by Big 12 teams, whether it’s dealing with high-tempo offenses or finding ways to stop high-powered passing attacks.
3. Enhanced Recruiting Tactics: Recruiting is the lifeblood of any major college football program. With a Big 12 analyst on board, LSU can continue to identify under-the-radar recruits in the Big 12 region and learn more about the top players coming out of Texas, Oklahoma, and other key territories. By better understanding the players LSU is competing with for talent, the program can adjust its recruiting strategies accordingly.
4. Competitive Advantage in Scheduling: If LSU finds itself facing a Big 12 opponent in a future bowl game or playoff scenario, having an analyst familiar with the tendencies, personnel, and game planning of Big 12 teams can provide a competitive edge. The additional insight will help LSU’s coaching staff feel more prepared, allowing them to exploit weaknesses and create winning game plans.

 A Strategic Move for LSU’s Future

The anticipated hiring of a Big 12 analyst in 2025 is a strategic move that reflects LSU’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of college football. By adding fresh insight into Big 12 strategies and having an expert in the region’s talent pool, Brian Kelly is ensuring that LSU is well-equipped for both the present and future. With its powerful recruiting efforts, strong coaching staff, and commitment to excellence, LSU football is poised to continue its success in the SEC and nationally.

In a constantly evolving landscape, LSU’s decision to strengthen its staff with a Big 12 analyst is a forward-thinking step. It is not only about improving preparation for future games but also about reinforcing the program’s ability to compete at the highest levels of college football. As LSU looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, this move represents a vital component of its continued growth and potential for dominance.