Jake Olsen, who has spent the past two years coaching safeties at LSU under Blake Baker, is reportedly preparing to make his NFL transition by joining the Washington Commanders. This anticipated move follows a period in which Olsen played a key role in reshaping LSU’s defense, leveraging his experience investing in emerging talent like transfers AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley, as well as sophomore Dashawn Spears.
Prior to his recent tenure at LSU, Olsen worked with Baker at Missouri and held various coaching roles at Louisiana programs, marking him as an established figure in college football circles with deep regional experience. His advancement to the NFL signifies a major step in his coaching career and prompts questions about LSU’s defensive coaching structure moving forward.
Olsen’s Contributions to LSU and Missouri’s Defenses
Olsen’s time at LSU began in 2021 as an analyst focusing on linebackers while assisting Blake Baker, before becoming the safeties coach in 2024. In his first year leading the safeties, Olsen coached a unit featuring five different starters, including true freshman Dashawn Spears, who helped secure victories over South Carolina, UCLA, and South Alabama. Key players like junior Jardin Gilbert, who tallied 55 tackles, and senior Major Burns, with 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three turnovers, flourished under his guidance.
Before returning to LSU, Olsen served as Missouri’s linebackers coach from 2022 to 2023, a period when the Tigers recorded their best season in a decade by winning 11 games and finishing ninth nationally. Missouri’s season was capped with a dominant 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State, a game in which the Tigers held the Buckeyes without a touchdown for the first time since 2016. Olsen’s work helped develop All-SEC linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, who was a Butkus Award finalist in 2023.
At LSU in 2021, Olsen contributed to the development of standout linebacker Damone Clark, who went on to be an All-America selection and currently starts for the Dallas Cowboys, where he ranked second nationally in tackles per game with 11.42 during the 2023 season.
Extensive Louisiana Coaching Roots and Earlier Career
Though Olsen is not originally from Louisiana, his coaching career has strong ties to the state. Prior to his time at LSU, he coached at Nicholls State, Louisiana Monroe, and Northwestern State, where he was linebackers coach, safeties coach, and special teams coordinator from 2017 to 2020. His experience in these roles helped build his reputation as a versatile and dedicated coach within Louisiana’s college football community.
Olsen began his collegiate coaching journey at his alma mater, Valley City State University in North Dakota, in 2013. There, he developed defensive linemen Matt Craft and Dwayne Fearon into all-conference players. As a player at Valley City State, Olsen was a four-year letterman and served as a team captain in 2012, helping the Vikings achieve a 7-3 record and a first-place finish in their conference.
He also gained experience as a graduate assistant at Louisiana Monroe (2015-2016), where he contributed to coaching safeties and the defensive line while completing a master’s degree in educational technology leadership. His first coaching position in Louisiana came in 2014 at Nicholls State as the outside linebackers coach, after a stint coaching defensive lines at Southwestern Oklahoma State earlier in 2015.
Olsen’s potential was recognized nationally in 2018 when he was selected for the American Football Coaches Association’s “35 Under 35” group, participating in the AFCA’s Coaches Leadership Institute held in San Antonio, Texas.
Staff Adjustments Expected at LSU Following Olsen’s Departure
Olsen’s move to the NFL opens a vacancy in LSU’s defensive coaching staff, creating opportunities for adjustments under the direction of head coach Brian Kelly and defensive coordinator Blake Baker. While Corey Raymond remains dedicated to coaching cornerbacks, the safeties coach role now requires a replacement. It remains to be seen whether Baker will assume a more direct on-field role or introduce an analyst into the defensive staff to fill the gap left by Olsen’s departure.
This shift will influence LSU’s defensive strategy and personnel development as the Tigers prepare for future seasons, relying on continuity and fresh leadership to sustain their competitive edge.
The Importance of Olsen’s NFL Transition for His Coaching Trajectory
Jake Olsen’s expected hiring by the Washington Commanders represents a significant milestone in his coaching career, giving him a platform to apply his defensive expertise at the professional level. His NFL move reflects the growing recognition of college coaches who have developed talent and innovative defensive schemes in major programs like LSU and Missouri. This opportunity will test Olsen’s ability to adapt and succeed in the NFL environment, potentially setting the stage for continued advancement in the league.
At LSU, Olsen’s influence on defensive players has been instrumental in their individual and team success, and his departure will be felt by those players and coaching colleagues alike. His career progression illustrates the pathways available to coaches rising through college football ranks with dedication and results.
