So much has changed since the LSU Tigers won the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Clemson. Coaches have left and some star players entered the 2020 NFL Draft. It's definitely something head coach Ed Orgeron was prepared for and now he is looking to put some pieces in place before next season.
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Of all of the losses LSU football saw over the last month, perhaps none were as significant as the departure of passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. He helped quarterback Joe Burrow win the Heisman Trophy and took the Tigers offense to new heights before going back to the NFL.
It might be impossible to duplicate what Brady brought, but Orgeron is confident he has found his new guy in former NFL offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. The 56-year-old most recently worked for the Dallas Cowboys from 2014-18 and he now has a new home on the coaching staff in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
LSU Hires Scott Linehan as New Passing Game Coordinator
SOURCES: #LSU is hiring former #Vikings #Dolphins #Lions and #Cowboys OC Scott Linehan as the Tigers new passing game coordinator. Linehan has coached several prolific QB/WR combinations in his NFL career.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 10, 2020
Hiring the longtime NFL coach, which was first reported by The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, has certainly been met with mixed reviews. However, all Orgeron sees is a great fit with LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger.
Linehan signed a two-year contract worth approximately $800,000 annually, according to Sports Illustrated.
Details on #LSU's hiring of Scott Linehan: The veteran #NFL coach is getting a 2-yr deal worth about $800,000 a year, sources say.
His title is pass game coordinator (no position assignment). Mickey Joseph will continue handling WRs and Steve Ensminger will stay as OC/QBs coach.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 10, 2020
Linehan definitely has an impressive resume on paper. Since he left the college football ranks at Louisville back in 2001, he has been the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and the Cowboys. He was also the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2006-08.
Working with quarterbacks such as Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott is a positive thing, too.
"We are excited about our staff. We are excited about Scott Linehan. We can't wait to get to work. What a great hire for the LSU Tigers," Orgeron said on the Off the Bench radio show. "He and Ensminger are going to fit along great together. He brought exactly what we wanted for our program."
Now it's time to get to work this offseason to defend the title.
