| For much of the season the question was when, or if, Brian Kelly would shake up his defensive coaching staff starting with coordinator Matt House. The answer finally came Wednesday, as Kelly fired House and three other defensive assistants: cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, safeties coach Kerry Cooks and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. It might simply be more accurate to say Lindsey was not retained since he missed the entire season with an unspecified health issue. Two defensive assistants are staying: John Jancek, who moved from linebackers to D-line after Lindsey went down; and Bob Diaco, a former defensive analyst who replaced Jancek and also coordinated special teams. Kelly was deliberate in his decisions about the staff, but eventually he saw the necessity to make huge changes. Some blame belongs to LSU's players, and talent has to get better. But coaching is of course a huge factor. Simply put, LSU can't be a CFP and SEC contender playing defense like this. It was a big news day all around for LSU football, as St. Martin's running back Harlem Berry, the nation's top RB prospect for 2025, announced his commitment to the Tigers. That's two five stars in four days for LSU, who also got Dominick McKinley from Acadiana to commit on New Year's Eve. It's January, so football has to share the spotlight. The LSU women's basketball team opens SEC play Thursday night against Missouri after a tumultous pre-conference slate. And All-American gymnast Kiya Johnson is set to make her return after suffering a season-ending injury this past January when LSU opens its season Friday against Ohio State. Stay with us throughout LSU's coachng search and for all the rest of the news ahead, Scott Rabalais | 