Joe Sloan Hired as Kentucky OC After LSU Dismissal

Joe Sloan Lands at Kentucky After LSU Departure

In a swift move that has college football analysts buzzing, former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is expected to take over the same role at Kentucky, according to multiple reports confirmed on Thursday. The hiring comes just weeks after Sloan was dismissed from LSU, marking a remarkable comeback for the 34-year-old play-caller.

Sloan will join first-year Kentucky head coach Will Stein as the Wildcats seek to revitalize their offensive attack. The move represents both a fresh start for Sloan and an intriguing new chapter for Kentucky football.

Sloan's LSU Tenure: From Success to Dismissal

Sloan's journey at LSU began as quarterbacks coach, where his impact was immediately evident. His development of Jayden Daniels culminated in the Tigers' signal-caller winning the Heisman Trophy in 2023. This success led to Sloan being promoted to offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season following Mike Denbrock's departure for Notre Dame.

During his first year as LSU's play-caller, the Tigers' passing game flourished. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for an impressive 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions under Sloan's guidance. However, the offense struggled with consistency on the ground, an issue that persisted into this season and contributed to Sloan's dismissal.

Dismissal and Interim Period

Sloan's tenure at LSU came to an abrupt end on October 27, the same day the university dismissed head coach Brian Kelly. The subsequent change in leadership led to LSU naming Alex Atkins as the interim play-caller. Under Atkins, LSU's offense struggled, averaging just 21.8 points per game and ranking 108th in the country at the end of the regular season.

The dismissal marked a difficult period for Sloan, who had helped lead LSU to a 10-2 record and SEC West title in 2023 before the program's performance dipped this season. However, his ability to develop quarterbacks and design an effective passing attack made him an attractive candidate for other programs.

New Opportunity at Kentucky

The hire at Kentucky represents an interesting new chapter for Sloan. He will join first-year head coach Will Stein, who recently replaced longtime Kentucky coach Mark Stoops. Stein, previously the offensive coordinator at Oregon, is looking to implement a more dynamic offensive system, and he's reportedly turning to Sloan to help execute his vision.

This move is significant for both parties. For Kentucky, it brings in an offensive coordinator with recent Power Five experience and a proven track record of developing quarterbacks. For Sloan, it's a chance to establish himself as a play-caller after a brief but turbulent tenure at LSU.

LSU Moves Forward with New Coordinator

Meanwhile, LSU has moved on with its own offensive coordinator search. Under new head coach Lane Kiffin, the Tigers have agreed to terms with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. on a three-year, $6 million deal. Weis, who returns to Ole Miss, will lead the LSU offense as they prepare for the College Football Playoff.

As Sloan begins his new role at Kentucky, all eyes will be on whether he can build on the passing success he enjoyed at LSU while finding solutions to the rushing issues that plagued his previous offense. The Wildcats will be hoping that Sloan's quarterback development skills can elevate their offensive performance in the competitive SEC.