Ex-Nebraska HC Bo Pelini to Be LSU's New Defensive Coordinator

Bo Pelini is returning to the LSU coaching staff.

Youngstown State, where Pelini had coached since 2015, confirmed Monday he's leaving to become the Tigers' defensive coordinator, replacing Dave Aranda.

"The opportunity to return to LSU is truly unique," Pelini said in a statement. "Culturally, with my prior experience at LSU, I know it is a great fit for me. The chance to work with Coach (Ed) Orgeron, the ability to take charge of the Tigers defense. All of that in a place that both my family and I immensely enjoyed when we were there before is very exciting for us. We are very honored and looking forward to this next chapter."

Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger reported Pelini will earn "around" $2 million annually from his deal with LSU.

Aranda was hired as the head coach at Baylor earlier this month, which continued a mass exodus from LSU following the Tigers' national championship run.

Pelini is a familiar name to the school's fans. He was the defensive coordinator from 2005 to 2007, a stretch in which LSU's defense was among the best in college football.

The 52-year-old boasts an impressive resume and brings a wealth of experience to Baton Rouge. Having said that, this move isn't without some risk for the Tigers.

The college football landscape has changed—even in the five years he worked at the FCS level with Youngstown State—and LSU is a perfect example of that shift.

For years the Tigers offense held the team back. Ed Orgeron brought 29-year-old Joe Brady aboard as passing game coordinator in order to freshen things up, and LSU was transformed almost overnight. This season's squad was almost unrecognizable from the teams fans had long associated with the program under Les Miles.

It's not as if Pelini has been away from the game entirely since leaving LSU. The approach he used to such great success in his previous stint as defensive coordinator, however, will likely need some tweaks to account for the rise of the spread and run-pass options.

By hiring Pelini rather than a younger, less proven assistant, Orgeron is sending the message he doesn't intend to take a step backward in 2020 despite losing so much talent on the field and across his staff.