LSU Football Hires Away Key Ole Miss Rebels Recruiting Staffer to Off-Field Role

Originally posted on LSU Tigers on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers are set to hire Ole Miss Rebels Director of Recruiting Strategy, Kelvin Bolden, to an off-field role, a source confirmed to LSU Tigers On SI.

247Sports first reported LSU was targeting Bolden for a position on Kelly's staff.

Bolden will serve as LSU's Associate Athletic Director/Assistant General Manager where he's set to have the opportunity to reunite with LSU's General Manger, Austin Thomas.

Ole Miss hired Bolden in 2022 where he has remained on Lane Kiffin's staff ever since while handling various roles in Oxford.

With the hire set to be made official, it reunites Bolden with Thomas where the two have formed a significant relationship across the last few years.

Thomas helped bring Bolden to Ole Miss during his two seasons as the program’s Football Chief of Staff and Sport Administrator.

News: Ole Miss Director of Recruiting Strategy Kelvin Bolden is “in talks to head to LSU in an elevated off-the-field role,” according to @247Sports.

Brian Kelly and the #LSU Tigers have multiple staff hires to make with Bolden being circled as a name to know.

Huge development. pic.twitter.com/MMBMpZS2A5
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) July 8, 2025

Now, Thomas and Bolden will reunite in Baton Rouge with the Bayou Bengals beginning to dominate behind the scenes in the new age of college football.

In February, On3 Sports named named both Bolden and Ole Miss Director of Player Personnel, Alex Brown, as two of college football’s ‘off-field recruiting stars’ of the 2025 cycle.

“Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin brought in Billy Glasscock as his [NFL style] General Manager to oversee everything in the program from recruiting, scouting, NIL and coaching staff,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong wrote.

“He’s an industry veteran that shined at Minnesota and Texas prior. Director of Player Personnel Alex Brown wears a lot of hats as well. Mike Williams runs the scouting department and has 15 years of NFL experience.

“Coordinator of Recruiting Strategy Kelvin Bolden is one of the SEC’s best relationship guys. The Rebels signed On3’s No. 19 class."

Now, Bolden is Baton Rouge bound where he's set to take on a critical role behind the scenes for Kelly and the LSU Tigers.