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Sources: Ryan Nielsen NOT Becoming LSU Defensive Coordinator

Saints defensive line coach was set to make the move to Baton Rouge

New Orleans Saints v Buffalo Bills Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

UPDATE 12:19 P.M.

Apparantley not! Some kind of shenanigans went down and Nielsen is not coming to Baton Rouge

Roughly a month after LSU dismissed Bo Pelini, the Tigers appear to have their new defensive play caller, tapping Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to run the LSU defense, according to multiple outlets.

Although Nielsen may not have been the top choice, his name was always linked to the position once LSU opted to relieve Pelini.

A look at his resume, and Nielsen’s path to the Tigers has some similar elements to incoming OC Jake Peetz. Like Peetz, Nielsen is a career position coach who has never called plays, but has a proven track record of success at all his stops.

Most recently, Nielsen has established the Saints defensive lines as one of the best in the country with the likes of Cam Jordan and Trey Hendrickson among others. Nielsen also has success at the college level, grooming Bradley Chubb into a first round pick at NC State.

Nielsen also has an extensive history with Oregon, dating back to USC where Oregon coached Nielsen. When O moved to Ole Miss, Nielsen was hired as the defensive line coach, where he mentored Greg Hardy and Peria Jerry.

Even with his extensive resume, Nielsen is only 41-years-old.

With Nielsen in place the Tigers can begin to round out the rest of the defensive coaching staff. It is unknown if Nielsen will continue working on the defensive line or take over the linebackers. There are no details on what other coaches Nielsen might be bringing in to help run his unit.

Nielsen has his work cut out for him, leading the Tigers after one of their worst defensive seasons in school history. However, with a promising recruiting class and return of several key veterans returning, Nielsen should have the tools to revive the LSU defense.