LSU Football Loses Two Key Assistants To Lane Kiffin's Star-Studded Coaching Staff

Kiffin and Co. will look to make two staff additions this offseason, pair of assistants depart Baton Rouge.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers remain the talk of the town this offseason with the program stealing headlines in January after assembling the No. 1 Transfer Portal Class in America. From roster reconstruction to coaching staff changes, Kiffin has revamped the Bayou Bengals in the blink of an eye, but the program's shot-caller will now look to fill a void on defense as the Tigers have lost two key defensive assistants to other programs.

Why it matters

The departures of Jermauria Rasco and Jake Olsen from the LSU coaching staff represent a significant shakeup for the Tigers' defense, which had shown improvement under their leadership in 2025. Kiffin will need to quickly find capable replacements to maintain the defensive momentum as he continues to reshape the LSU program.

The details

Jermauria Rasco, who served as the interim defensive tackles coach at the end of the 2025 season, has accepted a job as the assistant defensive line coach at Mississippi State. Jake Olsen, the Tigers' safeties coach for the past two seasons, is expected to join the Washington Commanders' staff. Both Rasco and Olsen played key roles in helping the LSU defense rank among the top units in the SEC last year.

  • Rasco joined the LSU staff as an analyst in 2024 and took over as the interim defensive tackles coach at the end of the 2025 season.
  • Olsen returned to LSU in January 2024 after two years at Missouri, where he worked alongside defensive coordinator Blake Baker.

The players

Jermauria Rasco

Former LSU player who served as an analyst and interim defensive tackles coach for the Tigers before accepting a job as the assistant defensive line coach at Mississippi State.

Jake Olsen

LSU's safeties coach for the past two seasons, who is expected to join the Washington Commanders' staff.

Kyle Williams

Former LSU player who spent 13 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and joined the Tigers' staff last offseason as the defensive tackles coach.

Tamarcus Cooley

LSU defensive back who was a key contributor to the Tigers' improved defense in 2025.

AJ Haulcy

LSU defensive back who was a key contributor to the Tigers' improved defense in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Rasco spent time as an analyst for the LSU Tigers on Brian Kelly's staff where he closed out last season as the interim defensive tackles coach once Kyle Williams departed the program.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

“Olsen returned to LSU in January of 2024 after two years working alongside defensive coordinator Blake Baker at Missouri where he quickly elevated play in the defensive backfield spearheaded by Tamarcus Cooley and AJ Haulcy last fall.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

What’s next

Kiffin and the LSU coaching staff will need to quickly identify and hire capable replacements for Rasco and Olsen in order to maintain the defensive momentum the Tigers built in 2025.

The takeaway

The departures of Rasco and Olsen represent a significant challenge for Kiffin as he continues to reshape the LSU program, but the head coach's ability to assemble a talented coaching staff will be crucial to the Tigers' success in 2026 and beyond.