The LSU Tigers are wasting no time gearing up for their next chapter under Lane Kiffin - and the offensive staff is already putting in the miles and the hours to make it happen.
Fresh off helping Ole Miss punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, several key members of LSU’s offensive staff made their way back to Baton Rouge from Oxford on Sunday. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Cox, quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, and wide receivers coaches George McDonald and Sawyer Jordan all returned to LSU’s football operations facility to get back to work. But this time, they weren’t alone.
Joining them was a familiar face with a new title: Kevin Smith, who is expected to take over as LSU’s running backs coach. Smith, who’s still wrapping up Ole Miss’ playoff run, was spotted on the team plane back to Baton Rouge, signaling that his move to LSU is all but official. According to reports, the Tigers are finalizing a deal that would make Smith one of the highest-paid running backs coaches in the country, with a salary of $1 million per year.
While LSU hasn’t formally announced Smith’s hire, Sunday’s video release from the football program all but confirmed his arrival. And it’s not just about titles or contracts - it’s about timing and preparation. These coaches are pulling double duty right now: helping Ole Miss chase a national title while also laying the groundwork for LSU’s aggressive push in the transfer portal, which opens on January 2.
That dual focus is critical. LSU is expected to make major moves on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, targeting quarterbacks, offensive linemen, running backs, and wide receivers to build the kind of explosive offense Kiffin has become known for. Getting the staff in place now - even as they juggle postseason responsibilities - gives LSU a head start on what’s shaping up to be a pivotal recruiting and roster-building period.
And the timing couldn’t be more important. Ole Miss is preparing for a Sugar Bowl rematch with Georgia on New Year’s Day, and the Tigers’ staff wants to have its plans locked in before heading back to Oxford for what could be the final stretch of their current playoff run.
Saturday’s win over Tulane gave a glimpse of what this offensive brain trust is capable of, even without Kiffin on the sideline. Ole Miss racked up 497 total yards and posted 16 explosive plays - 11 passes of 15-plus yards and five runs of 10-plus - in a blowout win that put their offensive efficiency on full display. It was a showcase of the very traits that have made the Kiffin system so dangerous: tempo, spacing, creativity, and the ability to stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally.
That performance wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. And for the LSU-bound staffers, it served as proof of just how integral they are to executing that offensive vision. It also gave Tiger fans a sneak peek at what might be coming to Baton Rouge.
Meanwhile, LSU’s staff isn’t just focused on the offensive side. The program is reportedly targeting South Carolina defensive line coach Sterling Lucas to take over the Tigers’ defensive front - another move that hasn’t been officially announced but is expected to come together soon.
As the holiday week kicks off, LSU is clearly operating with urgency and intent. The Kiffin era in Baton Rouge is already taking shape, and with a staff nearly in place and the transfer portal about to open, the Tigers are positioning themselves to make a splash - not just in the SEC, but on the national stage.