In a change of course, LSU football won’t be losing an assistant coach after all. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen has decided to remain in Baton Rouge. Over the weekend, reports stated that Olsen was on his way to the NFL as a target for Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders.

LSU welcomes the return of Olsen, who is a longtime assistant of LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker.

Olsen arrived for his second stint at LSU in early 2024, as previous head coach Brian Kelly rebuilt the defensive staff with the hire of Baker. Olsen’s relationship with Baker dates back to 2021, when both were on Ed Orgeron’s LSU staff.

After Kelly was fired, new head coach Lane Kiffin opted to retain LSU’s defensive staff, including Olsen.

Olsen’s safety room was one of the best in the SEC in 2025, with AJ Haulcy playing at an All-American level. TaMarcus Cooley and DaShawn Spears also emerged as key pieces of LSU’s secondary.

Sources tell @On3 that LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen has ultimately decided to stay in Baton Rouge with the Tigers. Had emerged as a target to join the Commanders.https://t.co/ROtNNWwCdZhttps://t.co/T9vr5YCgePpic.twitter.com/A0UaGiFLC6

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) February 17, 2026

Haulcy is off to the NFL, but Cooley and Spears return alongside a strong transfer class that features safeties Ty Benefield and Faheem Delane.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football coach opts to remain with LSU, turns down NFL