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LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron said the top candidates looking for two offensive coaches were both in Baton Rouge on Tuesday for talks, and Orgeron’s plans were to lock the pair down with an approach sooner rather than later.
Less than 24 hours after the end of the interviews, Orgeron found his employees.
LSU has hired Carolina Panthers Quarterback Coach Jake peetz to be the new offensive coordinator of the program, sources confirmed with the Geaux247 staff. Peetz will replace former LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, who retired in December after 10 seasons at Baton Rouge.
Peetz, who worked in 2020 under the former LSU passing game coordinator Joe brady, was in Baton Rouge on Tuesday for an official interview, which included an interview with another Panthers coach. Peetz was joined on the interview of former LSU analyst and current Panthers offensive assistant DJ Mangas, who worked alongside Brady and Ensminger during LSU’s 2019 National Championship season.
Now Mangas will return to Baton Rouge as a field coach as the program’s passing play coordinator, sources confirmed with Geaux247 staff. Mangas will reprise the same role as Brady – his longtime friend and coaching partner – busy in Baton Rouge. The coordinator of LSU’s passing game in 2020 was longtime NFL coach Scott Linehan, who only spent one season with the team.
LSU is expected to announce the two hires on Wednesday, sources confirmed with Geaux247 staff.
During an appearance on 104.5ESPN’s Off the Bench earlier this week, Orgeron said the decision to prosecute Peetz and Mangas resulted from his desire to move forward with a similar offense to the 2019 squad, who placed 15-0 under Orgeron.
This led to LSU contacting Brady, who recommended both Peetz and Mangas as good candidates to bring the offensive philosophy back to Baton Rouge.
“I have a lot of respect for Joe,” Orgeron said. “We asked Joe who could lead the offense, and he recommended two guys who are here today. I believe in Joe and what he’s done, and I believe in Coach Ensminger. that these two guys worked really well together two years ago. This year we lost a little bit, and that was because of Joe’s expertise. I want to come back to that offense.
LSU still has three more places open with field staff. The Tigers are looking for a new defensive coordinator to replace Bo Pelini, who only spent one season with the Tigers. LSU is also looking to replace Bill Johnson as defensive line coach after his retirement, as well as a potential safety coach to fill the void left by Bill Busch.
LSU now has all five offensive coaches in place with Peetz as the offensive coordinator, Mangas as the passing play coordinator, James Cregg as the offensive line coach, Kevin Faulk as the running backs coach and Mickey Joseph as the wide receivers coach.
In defense, the Tigers have longtime defensive back coach Corey Raymond still in place as cornerback coach and scouting coordinator, though three more hires are expected to join him on this side of the ball.
LSU set to interview Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman Thursday in Baton Rouge, according to sources to the staff of Geaux247.
LSU is also sacking special teams coordinator Greg McMahon for the 2021 season.
Stay tuned to Geaux247 for more on these latest news.
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