LSU football sets sights on former Florida State assistant Alex Atkins

Brian Kelly and LSU have targeted former Florida State assistant Alex Atkins as the new tight ends coach and running game coordinator, according to multiple reports.

Over his five-year tenure with the Seminoles, Atkins spent his last three seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He was fired in November during a 2-10 season.

Atkins generated a top-10 offense during the 2022 season while finishing 13-1 in the following season. He was not the primary play-caller as the offensive coordinator, as Florida State head coach Mike Norvell held that role.

The Tigers were searching for a replacement tight ends coach following the departure of Slade Eagle, who left Baton Rouge in December for an offensive coordinator position at the University of Houston.

Atkins played offensive guard at UT-Martin and spent his coaching career as an offensive line coach for Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Tulane and Charlotte before heading to Florida State in 2020. His only experience as a tight ends coach was in 2008 while coaching at UT-Martin.

LSU is also reportedly hiring former Grambling special teams coordinator Alan Anand and former Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Both are expected to be analysts with significant roles in their respective units.

Guidry was fired after two years as Miami’s defensive coordinator, with the Hurricanes’ defense struggling this season. The Louisiana native was formerly the McNeese head coach.