Former LSU safeties coach Kerry Cooks hired by Rice

LSU made quite a few changes to its defensive staff following a rough 2023 season.

The Tigers moved on from defensive coordinator Matt House , and they also let go of several assistants. One of those coaches — former safeties coach Kerry Cooks — has now found a new home.

On Monday, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Cooks will be joining Rice as a defensive assistant. Cooks followed coach Brian Kelly to LSU from Notre Dame in 2022, and he has previously served as an assistant at Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Wisconsin , as well.

He coached multiple stints under Kelly with the Fighting Irish, holding the role of co-defensive coordinator during his first stint from 2010-14.

After he wasn’t hired during the initial coaching carousel this offseason, likely in part due to being let go by LSU in January, Cooks will be heading to Houston to coach under Rice coach Mike Bloomgren in 2024.

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