Changes among the LSU football coaching staff had long been expected and Monday evening it appears those plans are now in action.
Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is not expected to return to LSU for the 2021 season as first reported by Matt Zenitz of al.com. Pelini is not the only change to the defensive staff, defensive line coach Bill Johnson is expected to retire, while safeties coach Bill Busch is not expected back either. It appears Corey Raymond is the only on the field defensive coach returning in 2021.
Pelini’s second stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator was nothing short of a disaster. The Tiger defense allowed nearly 34.9 points per game and 492 total yards per game; both amounts are the worst in school history.
It started from the get go when the LSU defense surrendered an SEC record 623 passing yards to Mississippi State in the season opener and only got worse. Missouri scored 45 points, Auburn scored 48, and Alabama scored 55, the most ever in the LSU-Alabama series.
Even in wins, the LSU defense was terrible. Against Florida the Tigers allowed the Gators to score 34 points and gain 609 yards, while Ole Miss scored 48 and gained 558 yards.
Under Pelini, LSU was one of the most disruptive defenses in the country. LSU was second in the country in forcing turnovers, 22, and was also in the top 50 for both tackles for loss and sacks. The issue was LSU constantly surrendering big plays. LSU allowed 14 plays of 40 yards, six of 50 and even a 90-yard play. All those numbers were last in the country.
This parting of ways will be costly for LSU. Pelini is guaranteed the remainder of his contract so his buyout comes out to be around $5.2 million.