LSU Football Expected to Hire Big 12 Staffer to Join Brian Kelly's Program in 2025

Kelly and Co. continue tweaking the coaching staff in Baton Rouge, set to bring a newcomer in as an analyst.
Quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay works with players during an Oklahoma State football practice in Stillwater, Okla., on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay works with players during an Oklahoma State football practice in Stillwater, Okla., on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers continue making tweaks to the coaching staff in Baton Rouge with the program expected to make another hire on offense.

Last week, Kelly and Co. made the decision to bring former Florida State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach in as the new tight ends coach and run-game coordinator.

Now, the Tigers are targeting another piece to join coordinator Joe Sloan's offense in 2025.

LSU is targeting former Oklahoma State quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay to join the staff in Baton Rouge as an offensive analyst. The Baton Rouge Advocate first reported the move.

The former Louisiana Tech and NFL quarterback worked as the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach from 2020-24. He has history with Sloan during their time with Louisiana Tech.

Learn More About Rattay:

Rattay has spent time coaching both the collegiate and professional level. Now, he moves to an analyst role where he can help assist the LSU offensive unit in 2025.

•   "Tim Rattay joined the Oklahoma State football staff as quarterbacks coach in January of 2020. Prior to that he coached quarterbacks for the Washington Redskins in 2019 after spending the previous six seasons at Louisiana Tech.

•   He broke into coaching in 2011 with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League and in his two seasons there, the Locomotives went 7-1 with their only loss coming against in the 2011 UFL championship game. 

•   At the college level, Rattay coached receivers at Louisiana Tech from 2013-15 and shifted into the role of quarterbacks coach from 2016-18. In Rattay’s six seasons in Ruston, the Bulldogs went 46-33, won two Conference USA West Division titles and were 5-0 in bowl games.

•   In 2016, Rattay coached Ryan Higgins, who finished the season with 329 completions for 4,617 yards and 41 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Higgins was honored as the Conference USA Most Valuable Player that season.

•   Rattay helped develop quarterback J’Mar Smith at Louisiana Tech. Smith went on to become the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.

•   In his lone season with the Redskins, quarterbacks Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins Jr. combined to pass for more than 3,000 yards."

Last Week's Coaching Hires: Alex Atkins and Lance Guidry

Alex Atkins: Tight Ends Coach and Run-Game Coordinator

LSU has officially come to a deal with former Florida State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, Alex Atkins, for a role on Kelly's 2025 staff.

The interest was initially reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports on Wednesday morning with the two sides ultimately coming to an agreement on Wednesday afternoon.

Across the last three seasons, Atkins has been on the staff at Florida State as an offensive line coach and the offensive coordinator prior to being let go from Mike Norvell's staff in November of 2024.

Norvell made changes to both the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator roles amidst a challenging 2024 season.

Now, with Atkins on the market, Kelly has landed the talented football mind that has also proven to be an ace on the recruiting trail.

A source informed LSU Tigers On SI that Atkins' role would be as the tight ends coach and run-game coordinator. The Baton Rouge Advocate first reported the role.

LSU saw 2024 tight ends coach Slade Nagle depart Baton Rouge in December after accepting a job as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Cougars. He reunites with former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz after the two worked together in New Orleans (La.) previously.

Now, LSU has found his replacement with Atkins set to head to the Bayou State. A deal was agreed upon on Wednesday for Atkins to become the next tight ends coach and run-game coordinator.

LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton currently works as co-offensive coordinator and the passing-game coordinator for the Tigers.

Lance Guidry: Defensive Analyst

The Louisiana native, and former McNeese State Cowboys standout, is set to join defensive coordinator Blake Baker's group as a defensive analyst this season.

Guidry spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Miami Hurricanes prior to being let go by head coach Mario Cristobal this offseason.

"I want to first thank Coach Guidry for his contributions to the University of Miami," Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said. "In a continuous effort to always improve all aspects of our program, I have decided to make a change on defense. We will move forward and make decisions that provide our players, staff and program the best opportunity to win and develop at the highest level."

There was significant growth defensively by Miami during Guidry's stint in Coral Gables after the Hurricanes improved from 376.5 yards and 26.8 points per game in 2022 prior to Guidry’s arrival to 321.6 yards and 22.8 points per contest in his first season at the helm of the defense.

In his second season leading the defense, it was a different story after struggles down the stretch saw Miami's College Football Playoff hopes diminish after allowing over 325 yards per game in 2024 with nearly 26 points per game.

Now, Kelly and Co. add a veteran mind with Power Four experience as the 53-year-old is set to make his return to Louisiana and head to Baton Rouge.

With over two decades of football knowledge as a coach, Guidry is plugged in when it comes to Louisiana with relationships across the Bayou State.

He has coaching experience at McNeese State, Miami (Ohio), Western Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, Florida Atlantic, Marshall and most recently Miami.

The LSU Coaching Staff:

- Head Coach: Brian Kelly
- Co-Offensive Coordinators: Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton
- Defensive Coordinator: Blake Baker
- Quarterbacks Coach: Joe Sloan
- Running Backs Coach: Frank Wilson
- Wide Receivers Coach: Cortez Hankton
- Tight Ends Coach: Alex Atkins
- Offensive Line Coach: Brad Davis
- Defensive Line Coach: Bo Davis
- Edge Rushers Coach: Kevin Peoples
- Secondary Coach: Corey Raymond
- Safeties Coach: Jake Olsen
- Defensive Analyst: Lance Guidry
- Offensive Analyst: Tim Rattay

More LSU News:

LSU Adds Commitments From Seven Top-100 Transfers in the Portal

LSU Dishes Out Offer to No. 1 Quarterback in America

Nick Saban Calls LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a "Sleeper" Ahead of 2024 Season

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.


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Zack Nagy
ZACH NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of LSU Country, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Tiger Football, Basketball, Baseball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving LSU athletics. 

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