What We Know About JaMarcus Russell
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JaMarcus Russell was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, after starring at LSU from 2005–2006 .
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He played three disappointing seasons with the Oakland Raiders, widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts
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In June 2024, Russell was hired (then quickly dismissed) as a volunteer assistant coach at Williamson High School in Alabama. He was also involved in a suit over a $74,000 donation check that allegedly never reached the school
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There’s no indication he’s coaching at any college level—or at LSU—since that incident.
What’s Actually Going On at LSU
1. Brian Kelly’s 2025 Landscape
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Now entering his fourth season, Kelly has amassed a 29–11 record at LSU, with back‑to‑back 10‑win seasons
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His philosophy leans heavily on national recruiting and the transfer portal, but there’s no mention of Russell anywhere in the staff
2. Coaching Staff Movements
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The 2024 season saw shakeups: OC Mike Denbrock left, DC Matt House replaced, Joe Sloan (formerly at Louisiana Tech) moved up to co‑OC and QB coach
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In January 2025, defensive analyst Lance Guidry was added from Miami as part of continuous staff evolution
3. Portal Activity & Recruiting
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LSU’s transfer portal strategy is high‑volume, though Kelly maintains the program is not a “pursuer” in portal hording
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Recruiting remains strong: top‑ranked 2026 class, official visitors like five‑star Immanuel Iheanacho and wideout Calvin Russell
🧭 Setting the Record Straight
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| JaMarcus Russell is returning to LSU as Assistant Head Coach | ❌ No credible evidence—no announcements, no official listing, no news coverage. Last coaching involvement was high school, June 20 |
| LSU forming a “portal-driven powerhouse” | ✅ LSU is active in the portal and recruiting, building Kelly’s vision—true. But no Russell connection in any source . |
| Breaking news? | ❌ No news outlets or LSU sources report this. The story appears to be misinformation or rumor. |
Likely Origins of the Rumor
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Russell’s LSU legacy as a Heisman hopeful and No. 1 NFL pick makes his name a magnet for sensational headlines.
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His brief high school coaching stint was overblown by tabloid-style clickbait, leading to false extrapolations.
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College football’s obsession with transfer portal power creates room for feel‑good narratives—even unsupported ones.
✅ What We Can Expect From LSU This Season
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Maintained momentum: Kelly’s record (29–11) shows steady success
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Strategic portal use, not reckless accumulation—Kelly remains measured .
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Recruiting excellence: Signing top-tier 2026 talents (Iheanacho, Calvin Russell, etc.)
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Evolving staff: New hires like Joe Sloan and Lance Guidry show Kelly adapting and improving
✅ Bottom Line
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The headline claiming “JaMarcus Russell returns to LSU as Assistant Head Coach” is false—not supported by any legitimate reporting.
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LSU under Brian Kelly is building a national-class program through the portal and recruiting—but without Russell.
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If you’re seeing similar claims about Russell or other sensational coaching shifts, treat them as unsubstantiated rumors unless confirmed by LSU or major sports outlets.