Raymond, who will serve as the Tigers’ defensive backs coach, has returned to Baton Rouge.
He’s back. LSU is completing a contract with Corey Raymond to return as the Tigers’ next defensive backs coach following a time at Florida.
According to insiders, he is expected to work with the cornerbacks, although a title has yet to be determined.
Raymond, a creator of Baton Rouge’s “DBU” history, returns to Death Valley for his second season with the Bayou Bengals.
Raymond served ten seasons with the Tigers before Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge ahead of the 2022 season.
Raymond then coached Florida’s defensive backs for two seasons under Billy Napier before parting ways.
Raymond’s secondary has produced seven First-Team All-Americans during his time at LSU: Eric Reid (2012), Jalen Mills (2015), Jamal Adams (2016), Tre’Davious White (2016), Greedy Williams (2018), Grant Delpit (2018 and 2019), and Derek Stingley Jr. (2019, 2020).
Another significant addition to Kelly’s defensive staff.
A look at the other hires Kelly has made in the last two weeks:
The Hires
Blake Baker, Defensive Coordinator
Baker joins LSU after spending the previous two seasons as Missouri’s defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Baker coached linebackers for LSU in 2021. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.) from 2019 to 2020 and Louisiana Tech from 2015 to 2018. He joins the LSU team with eight years of experience as defensive coordinator.
“Blake brings a wealth of experience and success as a defensive coordinator throughout his career, including the last two years in the SEC at Missouri,” Kelly said in a statement. “His ability to develop and motivate his players while putting together highly effective defenses distinguishes him in his field.” I’m thrilled to welcome Blake and his family back to Baton Rouge.
Baker’s 2023 Missouri defense helped the Tigers go 11-2 overall, including a 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory against No. 7 Ohio State. Missouri’s 11 wins were the most the school has had in over a decade. Missouri kept Ohio State to no touchdowns for the first time since the 2016 season.
Bo Davis, Defensive Line
Davis joins the LSU staff following three seasons at Texas, where he lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoffs in 2023 with one of the nation’s best defenses. Davis served six years with the Longhorns, first as defensive tackles coach from 2011 to 2013, and then as defensive line coach from 2021 to 2023.
Davis played for the Tigers in the early 1990s, worked as a graduate assistant for the football team from 1995 to 1997, and was part of the strength and conditioning staff when LSU won the national championship in 2003.
Davis comes to LSU with a track record of creating some of the best defensive lineman in college football. Davis has coached the defensive line in college football for 12 years, producing 17 all-conference honors and seven all-Americans. He has also coached players who have earned the Outland Trophy, Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 and Conference USA, and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
“As a defensive line coach Bo brings a wealth of proven success at both the professional and collegiate level throughout his distinguished career,” Kelly said in a statement. “Coach Davis is also an excellent recruiter and player development specialist. I am thrilled to welcome back LSU coach Bo Davis.”
Davis was a part of three national championships during his collegiate career, winning one at LSU in 2003 and two at Alabama in 2009 and 2015 as the Crimson Tide’s defensive line coach.
Kevin Peoples, Defensive Line
Kelly and company will bring Missouri defensive line coach Kevin Peoples to Baton Rouge as a defensive assistant. Pete Thamel of ESPN was the first to report the news.
After LSU hired Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker, the focus shifted to how he would assemble his staff. The Tigers hired Bo Davis as defensive line coach and were far from done in that regard.
Peoples adds to Kelly’s defensive formation. That is, an elite-level crew. It’s likely that he focuses on defensive ends/EDGE rushers.
A coach who has a working relationship with recently appointed defensive coordinator Blake Baker is a match made in heaven. He understands how Baker works as a coordinator, having spent four years as Tulane’s defensive line coach.
Peoples, noted for his development with EDGE rushers, is ready to form a formidable combo.
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