Frank Wilson’s next game with the Tigers will also be his last.
Late Tuesday night Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer reported that Wilson will be leaving LSU after the Texas Bowl for Ole Miss, where he will become the Rebels’ running backs coach. Wilson has coached in Oxford before, working there from 2005 through 2007; Wilson also has worked with Pete Golding, as Golding was Wilson’s defensive coordinator at UTSA.
Off the field wise, this will be a blow for Lane Kiffin’s first staff at LSU. Wilson’s maybe
the single best recruiter in the state of Louisiana, and he knows everyone there is to know in New Orleans. As for what happens on the field, however, might be a different story.
This year LSU ranked last in the SEC in rushing attempts (354), yards (1,275), yards per game (106.3), and rushing touchdowns (9). Now, does all that lie at Wilson’s feet? No. There’s ire to be aimed at Brian Kelly, Brad Davis, Joe Sloan, Alex Atkins, and the players themselves, but Wilson’s got some responsibility to bare, too. Lane Kiffin is also free to shape the coaching staff however he sees fit, and that apparently does not include Wilson.
Speaking of Kiffin’s coaching staff, Wilson leaving all but guarantees that Kevin Smith, who is currently serving as Ole Miss’ running backs coach, will be heading to LSU once their playoff run comes to an end. Hopefully this also means star Rebel running back Kewan Lacy ends up following Smith to Baton Rouge.
Stay tuned to see who else LSU and Ole Miss decide to trade amongst themselves.
