Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, initially anticipated to serve of as a sacrificial lamb for LSU’s disappointment season, did not survive the program’s staff shakeup kicked off Sunday with the firing of coach Brian Kelly.
The university announced Monday morning that Sloan, too, had been relieved of his duties with the program.
Sloan was in his fourth season in Baton Rouge, the first two as the quarterback coach working with 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and the past two coordinating the offense with Garrett Nussmeier.
LSU began this season with College Football Playoff goals and expectations due in no small part to confidence in an explosive offense built around Nussmeier; returning weapons such as Aaron Anderson, Caden Durham and Trey’Dez Green; and key transfer portal additions to the line and receiving corps.
But the Tigers have struggled to protect Nussmeier, establish a consistent rushing attack, find anticipated big-play ability or convert third-down or red-zone opportunities.
And the team suffered its third loss in four games Saturday, this time in startling lopsided fashion, and fell from the top 25 in the latest AP and Coaches polls.
LSU heads into November ranked No. 6 in the SEC in passing offense (249.3 yards), No. 12 in scoring (25.5 points), No. 14 in total offense (255.5 yards) and No. 16 in rushing offense (106.3 yards) in averages per game.
Assistant head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson III was elevated Sunday to interim head coach in Kelly’s vacancy.
First-year run game coordinator Alex Atkins, with previous offensive coordinator experience at Charlotte and Florida State, will take over play-calling duties, according to The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander, with co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton handling pass game coordinator responsibilities.
Offensive analysts Tim Rattay and Cordae Hankton will work more hands-on with the team’s quarterbacks and running backs, respectively, following the departure of Sloan and shift in Wilson’s role.