Notebook: Brian Kelly Details DL Coach Search, Harold Perkins at LB
Brian Kelly has his work cut out for him this offseason. From preparing a fresh faced defense to adding a new defensive line coach after Jamar Cain took his talent to the NFL, there is work to be done.
When it comes to adding a new defensive line coach, Kelly knows what he’s looking for.
But when it comes to gaining continuity among the newcomers, it'll take time. There are several first-year Tigers on defense after adding players via the transfer portal and high school ranks. It's a given there will be kinks to work out.
A few takeaways from Kelly’s press conference on Thursday:
Defensive Line Options, What’s Kelly Looking For?
LSU will have Gerald Chatman as the interim defensive line coach for the rest of spring camp, but as for the hiring process, Coach Kelly knows what he’s looking for.
“Coach Chatman, as you know, is a well-credentialed, experienced defensive line coach,” Kelly said on Thursday. “He is obviously coaching the interior defensive linemen during the spring. We feel great about that. Then Coach Jancek is coaching the JACK.
“We will go through the spring, and we are putting together our thoughts on whether we hire within or we go outside [for the hire]. All our options are on the table. It’s important that this is a position where we examine all options. We have outstanding coaches here, so we want to get through the spring and go from there.”
There are a few names being thrown around, but Kelly is prepared to do his due diligence when it comes to filling the void of Jamar Cain, who elevated the position group significantly.
Harold Perkins’ Role
Kelly wants Perkins playing the inside linebacker position. He emphasized that on Thursday as the Tigers continue ramping up spring camp.
“He’s a linebacker. He’s going to play linebacker. He’s fully invested in playing that position and you’ll see him playing that for us,” Kelly said.
Perkins has been playing alongside Oregon State transfer Omar Speights at linebacker this spring with Greg Penn III running with the second team. A tandem of Perkins and Speights gives the Tigers both versatility and speed moving forward.
Newcomers Shining
LSU brought in a pair of early-enrollee wide receivers for spring camp. With both Kyle Parker and Jalen Brown in town, they’ve shined early on. For Parker, he’s been a standout through the first few practices.
“A physical and mental maturity beyond being a freshman,” Kelly said of Parker. “He’s a guy that early on has shown in the weight room a physicality. He’s really strong and fit. He translated that onto the field.
“I think [Kyle Parker and Jalen Brown] have done really well this spring coming in as mid-years. I think Parker brings a physicality to the group that is really impressive.”
