Brian Polian moving to a GM-type role for LSU, will evaluate NIL, Transfer Portal

Brian Polian is making a move to a different role at LSU.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Polian, who recently served as LSU’s special teams coordinator, is transitioning to an off-the-field role where he will help manage and evaluate the roster, NIL and the Transfer Portal.

The role will allow Polian — the son of long-time Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian — to continue to play an instrumental part on Brian Kelly’s staff in a GM-type role.

The switch in responsibilities for Polian seems to be a happy medium for both parties.

As the only assistant coach from Kelly’s Notre Dame staff to follow him to Baton Rouge, Polian will still serve a key role in recruitment and roster management. For Kelly, it allows the Tigers to move forward on special teams after ranking 130st out of 131 FBS teams last season, per ESPN’s Football Power Index.

After a season that included many miscues on special teams, Kelly is looking to fix that side of the football with a new leader for the Tigers. Muffed punts, blocked kicks and return coverage were all significant issues that plagued LSU in costly games against Florida State, Tennessee, and Georgia.

For Polian, his main focus for the Tigers will now correlate with his biggest strength: recruiting.

Polian, the former Nevada head coach and Fighting Irish recruiting and special teams coordinator, was an integral part of building the top-five recruiting class joining LSU for the 2023 season.

Kelly is expected to find a new special teams coordinator before the start of spring camp on March 9.