LSU wants KC Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House as defensive coordinator

For the last few seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed very impressive continuity in all levels of leadership. It’s been surprising, actually, for a team that has experienced so much consistent success, but whatever the reason, the Chiefs have certainly benefitted from having such stability in the front office and coaching staff for yet another season in 2021.

That consistency might be interrupted this offseason if some early reports are true.

John Brice of Football Scoop has word that Brian Kelly, the new high-profile hire for Louisiana State University wants to bring in Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Kelly is taking over for Ed Orgeron after coming over from Notre Dame and is trying to build the sort of staff that will bring another national championship to Baton Rouge.

Will the Chiefs lose Matt House to Brian Kelly’s new staff with LSU?

House has been with the Chiefs for three seasons now, ever since the team jettisoned Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator and hired Steve Spagnuolo to take his place. Spags hired House as his linebackers coach to go with other newcomers like Brendan Daly for the defensive line and Sam Madison and Dave Merritt for the secondary.

House has some experience as a defensive coordinator for the Kentucky Wildcats under Mark Stoops, his position before joining the Chiefs. He’s also coached special teams and all levels of the defense for various schools in years spent at FIU, Buffalo, Gardner-Webb, and Pittsburgh.

Given his experience with a championship team and his chance to learn from some of the NFL’s best coaches, House would bring a lot to the table. He also has experience working with ascending young linebackers in Willie Gay and Nick Bolton this year who have shown excellent development from game to game.

House has previously spurned offers from SEC schools to become a defensive coordinator, so it’s hard to know if this overture will work or not from Kelly. But it makes sense for teams to shop for new coaches from the Chiefs whether it works or not.