REPORT: Kiffin adds DL Coach Elijah Robinson to his LSU staff

Lane Kiffin has reportedly made a major addition to his LSU staff, hiring defensive line coach Elijah Robinson away from Syracuse. Football Scoop first reported the initial interest on Thursday evening.

He will join co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator George McDonald, inside wideouts coach Sawyer Jordan, quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, and offensive coach Eric Wolford. 

Robinson comes to LSU from Syracuse where he was recently demoted from defensive coordinator down to co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

The Resume

In his first season at Syracuse, the Orange posted one of their best seasons this century, finishing 10-3 overall and inside the top-20 of the final Associated Press rankings. Robinson comes to ‘Cuse from Texas A&M, where he most recently served as the team’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. Prior to that, he served as the assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the past two seasons.

Robinson coached the Aggies’ defensive line for four seasons before adding assistant head coach to his duties prior to the 2022 season. His defensive unit ranks 17th nationally in rushing defense this season. The Aggies also finished the regular season third in the FBS in sacks (3.5 per game) and are ninth nationally in total defense, allowing just 295.0 yards per game. The 2023 squad also led the SEC in rushing defense, sacks, and tackles for loss and finished second in the league in total defense.

In his six seasons in College Station, the A&M defense finished inside the top-20 nationally in rushing defense on three occasions (2018, 2020, 2023) and inside the top-five nationally twice (third in 2018 and second in 2020). 

He arrived at Texas A&M in January of 2018, following stints at Baylor (2017), Temple (2014-16) and Penn State (2009-13).