Legendary LSU coach names standout member of Tigers' staff who could rebuild the squad: "He can coach as well as anyone in this country"

LSU coach Brian Kelly rounded off his staff for the 2024 season by hiring Bo Davis as the title-chasing Tigers' defensive line coach from the Texas Longhorns after a 2023 season littered with defensive frailties.

Davis played for the Tigers and was a graduate assistant between 1995 and 1997. He started his coaching career for various programs, including the Alabama Crimson Tide under coach Nick Saban and the Texas Longhorns under coach Steve Sarkisian.

Before being hired as the Tigers' defensive lineman coach, Bo Davis returned to Baton Rouge between 2002 and 2005 as the assistant strength and conditioning coach. Most recently, he was on the end of high praise from legendary LSU D-line coach Pete Jenkins.

Jenkins spoke to "WAFB" about the program's efforts to rebuild that area in the team, saying:

"Now let me tell you, he can coach as well as anybody in this country, but he needs personnel and you know they had some guys picked out in the portal and it didn't work out, they didn't get them. Bo will do a job as good as a man can possibly do. We go the coaches in there, we just need to get some bodies in there for them to build on."

The LSU Tigers finally get their man

The LSU Tigers were repeatedly linked to the services of Bo Davis for a while, and they finally snagged his signature in January. In a statement released during the unveiling, Brian Kelly expressed his delight at hiring the D-line coach, saying:

“As a defensive line coach, Bo brings a wealth of proven success at both the professional and collegiate level throughout his distinguished career. Additionally, Coach Davis is an outstanding recruiter and developer of the players in his charge."

Under Bo Davis, the Texas Longhorns boasted one of the best defensive units in the country. They reached the College Football Playoff semifinal where they lost to the Washington Huskies.

Under his guidance, defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat, who was drafted into the NFL, won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award while Byron Murphy was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

To show just how highly rated the LSU Tigers D-line coach is in the industry, he had a $1 million annual salary in Texas, way above the industry standard for a D-line coach. He also had a $500,000 buyout in his contract.

He is now being paid $4.05 million over the duration of his three-year LSU contract according to "The Advocate."

LSU was a thrilling offensive team last season, but its defensive frailties meant that it missed out on being in contention for the College Football Playoff. Tigers fans will hope that Davis can take their D-line to another level.