LSU Football Loses Two Key Defensive Assistants to Lane Kiffin's Staff

Jermauria Rasco and Jake Olsen depart Baton Rouge for new opportunities.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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LSU football has lost two key defensive assistants, Jermauria Rasco and Jake Olsen, to other programs this offseason. Rasco has accepted a job as the assistant defensive line coach at Mississippi State, while Olsen is expected to join the Washington Commanders' staff. Both coaches played important roles on the Tigers' defense, which ranked in the top half of the SEC in 2025.

Why it matters

The departures of Rasco and Olsen represent a significant loss for the LSU coaching staff as they look to build on the program's defensive success from last season. Replacing experienced position coaches can be challenging, especially with the Tigers looking to maintain their momentum on that side of the ball.

The details

Rasco spent time as an analyst for the LSU Tigers on Brian Kelly's staff, and he closed out last season as the interim defensive tackles coach after Kyle Williams departed the program. Olsen returned to LSU in January 2024 after two years working alongside defensive coordinator Blake Baker at Missouri, where he quickly elevated play in the defensive backfield.

  • Rasco has accepted a job as the assistant defensive line coach at Mississippi State.
  • Olsen is expected to depart LSU for an opportunity on the Washington Commanders' staff.

The players

Jermauria Rasco

Former LSU analyst and interim defensive tackles coach who has accepted a job as the assistant defensive line coach at Mississippi State.

Jake Olsen

LSU safeties coach who is expected to join the Washington Commanders' staff.

Kyle Williams

Former LSU player and assistant coach who spent 13 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and served as the defensive tackles coach at LSU before departing the program.

Blake Baker

LSU defensive coordinator who has worked with both Rasco and Olsen on the Tigers' coaching staff.

Brian Kelly

Head coach of the LSU Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“Jermauria 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.”

— Zack Nagy, Author (yardbarker.com)

“Jake 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.”

— Zack Nagy, Author (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

LSU will need to quickly identify and hire replacements for Rasco and Olsen as they look to maintain the momentum of their defense heading into the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The departures of Rasco and Olsen represent a significant challenge for the LSU coaching staff as they look to build on the program's defensive success from last season. Replacing experienced position coaches can be difficult, but the Tigers will need to act quickly to find suitable replacements in order to keep their defensive unit performing at a high level.