The mastermind behind LSU’s record-breaking offense in 2023, Mike Denbrock, is returning to South Bend, Indiana, to be the next offensive coordinator for Notre Dame.
It’s a big loss for the Tigers as Denbrock should receive a lot of credit for helping to develop Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner.
Denbrock was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award in 2021, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach. In 2021, he helped Cincinnati get into the College Football Playoff with an explosive offense.
In 2023, he was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award as the Tigers led the nation in total offense and scoring.
It appeared Denbrock was staying at LSU after Texas A&M attempted to hire him away. On December 6th it was reported Denbrock and LSU agreed in principle to a three-year contract extension.
However, the LSU Board of Supervisors never voted on the new contract. It was not on their agenda for the December 8th meeting and February is the Board’s next meeting.
This will be Denbrock’s third stint with the Fighting Irish.
He was Notre Dame’s offensive tackles and tight ends coach from 2002 to 2004 and he returned to South Bend in 2010, joining Brian Kelly’s staff. He started out as the tight ends coach and eventually made his way up to offensive coordinator and associate head coach.
Denbrock left Notre Dame in 2016 and had a successful five-year run at Cincinnati.
Denbrock is from southern Michigan and grew up two hours away from South Bend, so a chance to coach closer to home could be the main reason for this move.
He’s also familiar with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, who was the defensive coordinator when he was the OC the last time he was at Notre Dame.
LSU will have to find a new offensive coordinator. A potential internal candidate is quarterback coach Joe Sloan. He was an offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech for a couple of seasons and should also receive a lot of credit for the development of Daniels.
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