Defensive Line Coach Kevin Peoples Joining LSU
Missouri defensive line coach Kevin Peoples will be hired by LSU as an assistant coach, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Peoples is the second member of Missouri's coaching staff to join LSU, as former defensive coordinator Blake Baker was hired for the same position on Jan. 5.
Peoples was named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2023 Broyles Award, which goes to the assistant coach of the year in college football.
The 29-year coaching veteran joined the Mizzou staff in January 2022. He arrived in Columbia after two seasons at Indiana and four seasons at Tulane. Previous stops included Georgia Southern (2014-15), UAB (2013), Arkansas (2010-12), Arkansas State (2002-09), Northwestern State (2001, 1996), with the Las Vegas Outlaws (2000), Northern Arizona (1999), Central Missouri (1997-98) and Blinn College (1995).
Peoples played a major role in the Tigers' historic Cotton Bowl-winning season, as he along with fellow defensive line coach Al Davis, pulled the strings to one of the best pass rushes in the SEC. Missouri finished the year with the third-most sacks (39) and most fumble recoveries (10) in the conference.
"Since both of them have been here, not only have we increased our production at those positions in games, but also in our recruiting," Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in October. "I think those guys have added tremendous value to our program by being consistent in their teaching of fundamentals and getting our guys to play with a lot of effort."
Additionally, Peoples has helped pave the way for four defensive linemen (and counting) to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Drinkiwitz and company will have a difficult challenge in finding a suitor to fill Peoples' shoes.
