Former LSU Standout Rasco Joins SEC Rival as Assistant Coach

Jermauria Rasco departs Lane Kiffin's staff at LSU to take assistant defensive line job at Mississippi State

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Mississippi State Bulldogs have finalized a deal to hire former LSU defensive end Jermauria Rasco as their new assistant defensive line coach. Rasco spent last season as an analyst on Brian Kelly's staff at LSU, closing out the year as the interim defensive tackles coach after Kyle Williams' departure.

Why it matters

This move represents a rising coaching talent leaving one SEC program for a rival, as Rasco continues to climb the ranks in the Southeastern Conference. His experience playing and coaching at LSU will be valuable as he joins the staff of Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.

The details

Rasco, who played for the Tigers from 2011-2014, had a standout career at LSU, racking up 154 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. After his college playing days, he spent time in the NFL with the Packers, Buccaneers, and Steelers before transitioning into coaching. Rasco joined the LSU staff in 2024 as a defensive analyst and finished last season as the interim defensive tackles coach.

  • Rasco joined the LSU staff in March 2024 as a defensive analyst.
  • He finished the 2025 season as LSU's interim defensive tackles coach.

The players

Jermauria Rasco

A former standout defensive end for the LSU Tigers, Rasco joined the coaching ranks after a brief NFL career and has now taken an assistant defensive line coach position at SEC rival Mississippi State.

Kyle Williams

The former LSU and NFL defensive tackle spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator at Ruston High School before joining the Tigers' staff last offseason.

Jeff Lebby

The head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who has finalized a deal to bring Jermauria Rasco onto his defensive coaching staff.

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What they’re saying

“Mississippi State has finalized a deal to hire LSU's Jermauria Rasco as assistant defensive line coach, his agent @ShermWitThePlan of @AgencyOneSports tells @CBSSports.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

The takeaway

Rasco's move from LSU to Mississippi State represents the continued rise of a promising young defensive coach in the SEC, as he leaves one program to join the staff of a conference rival. His experience playing and coaching at LSU will be valuable as he looks to help elevate the Bulldogs' defensive line.