LSU Football Officially Hires Away Ohio State, USC Trojans and Ole Miss Staffers

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.

No. 2: Jeff Martin - Executive Director of Player Personnel

The LSU Football program has hired alum Jeff Martin as the program's Executive Director of Player Personnel.

Martin worked as a graduate student from 2014-17 and was named LSU’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel and Development in 2017.

Prior to working full-time for the LSU Tigers, Martin worked as a player personnel assistant in Baton Rouge for two years.

It's another impressive hire for the LSU program with Martin having significant experience in the Bayou State.

During his time as a student, he worked under Nick Saban during the 2002 season while also having experience under Les Miles and Ed Orgeron as well across his stints with the program.

Following his recent stint at LSU, Martin was named USC's Director of Scouting and Player Relations in March of 2021. 

Now, he'll begin a tenure under Brian Kelly where he'll bring additional expertise to the LSU Football Operations Building.

“Excited to be back home where I belong,” Martin told Rivals. “I’m looking forward to giving everything I have to the program and the people in it.”

No. 3: Sam Petitto - Director of Scouting and Personel Strategy

LSU Football made another impressive off-field hire on Friday with the program set to bring in Ohio State Director of Player Personnel, Sam Petitto.

Petitto, a Louisiana native with an impressive track record, spent nearly a decade working under Alabama head coach Nick Saban prior to heading to Ohio State.

He was hired by Ohio State in February of 2024 where he took on the role as the Buckeyes' Director of Player Personnel.

Now, Pettito is set to return to the Bayou State where he will serve as LSU Football’s Director of Scouting and Personnel Strategy, according to Rivals.

It's a notable hire for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers with Petitto bringing championship pedigree to Baton Rouge after working under Saban for eight seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Prior to his time in Tuscaloosa, Petitto was the Director of Player Personnel at Georgia for two seasons.

After assisting in building a dynasty with the Crimson Tide, the Amite (La.) native will make his way back to his home state.

Petitto's track record speaks for itself after stints with the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes with LSU General Manager, Austin Thomas, spearheading the push to hire him to the off-field staff.

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