Jake Olsen is heading to the NFL.
The LSU safeties coach is reportedly joining Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders, marking another step forward in a coaching journey that’s quietly been building momentum over the last few years.
Olsen’s most recent run in Baton Rouge began in January 2024, but it wasn’t his first time on campus. He originally joined LSU back in 2021 as a defensive analyst, working alongside the linebackers. After a stint at Missouri under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Olsen returned to LSU in an expanded role-this time leading the safeties.
And that’s where he started to make his mark.
In his first season coaching the position, Olsen worked closely with veterans Jardin Gilbert and Major Burns, helping steady a secondary that had seen its share of ups and downs. But it was 2025 that really put Olsen’s coaching chops on display.
Tasked with rebuilding the back end of the defense, he helped integrate transfer additions A.J. Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley into the system.
The result? A revamped unit that played with energy, discipline, and consistency throughout the season.
Haulcy and Cooley didn’t just fill gaps-they became impact players. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without coaching that connects both on the field and in the film room. Olsen brought that, and LSU’s secondary reaped the benefits.
When Lane Kiffin took over as LSU’s head coach, there were plenty of decisions to make regarding staff retention. Olsen was one of the coaches who earned a spot on the new-look staff-a clear sign of the respect he’d built within the program.
Now, as spring workouts begin in Baton Rouge, Olsen’s departure leaves a notable void on the defensive side of the ball. His move to Washington is a big opportunity, and it speaks to how quickly his stock has risen in coaching circles. For LSU, the timing isn’t ideal, but that’s often the price of success-when you develop talent, sometimes it doesn’t just apply to players.
As the Commanders continue to reshape their identity under Dan Quinn, Olsen will bring a track record of development, adaptability, and results. And for LSU, the search begins for the next coach who can pick up where Olsen left off and keep the secondary trending in the right direction.