Can John Jancek handle LSU football special teams, and other changes before spring practice

BATON ROUGE ― Spring is nearly here, meaning LSU football practices are just around the corner.

Following a 10-win campaign in coach Brian Kelly's first season, the Tigers start spring practice on March 9. LSU has already undergone some notable roster and coaching staff changes over a week before practice begins.

Special teams coordinator Brian Polian has moved to an off-field role with the program, according to ESPN, while defensive analyst John Jancek will take his position. Additionally, cornerback Sevyn Banks is heading to the NFL Draft, according to an LSU spokesperson, freshman safety Michael Daugherty has left the program and more.

Here's how the last week of news affects LSU football.

John Jancek becomes special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach

Along with becoming the new special teams coordinator, Jancek will also be the outside linebackers coach, LSU announced on Tuesday.

Before arriving as a defensive analyst, Jancek had been the defensive coordinator at Tennessee, Cincinnati and the co-defensive coordinator at Georgia. He has deep ties with Kelly, serving as his defensive coordinator at Central Michigan and Grand Valley State for a total of five years.

“John is a veteran SEC coordinator who possesses a great deal of knowledge as it relates to the scheme we teach,” Kelly said in a release. “He’s earned this opportunity and we are excited about this new challenge for him.”

However, Jancek has never been a special teams coach. That lack of experience could be a problem, especially given LSU's numerous failures on special teams last season.

To fill Jancek's analyst role, LSU has hired former UConn coach and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, according to On3 Sports.

Brian Polian's role change

According to ESPN, Polian's new role mirrors that of a general manager at the NFL level. Polian will monitor LSU's roster and the transfer portal, as well as manage its NIL strategy.

This move makes sense. LSU's special teams unit struggled under his command, but Polian was already a strong influence with roster management as recruiting coordinator. His father is also Bill Polian, a Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame front office executive.

Sevyn Banks to the NFL

Banks' LSU career ended unceremoniously, as the Ohio State transfer cornerback made himself eligible for the draft after only playing 14 total snaps on defense for the Tigers.

Without Banks, LSU still has plenty of options at the position after adding Syracuse transfer Darian Chestnut, Ohio State transfer JK Johnson, Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris, Southeastern Louisiana transfer Zy Alexander and three high school signees, including top-60 recruit Javien Toviano.

Banks' return would have been a roster luxury and his veteran experience could have been useful for LSU's younger players.

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Michael Daugherty to leave LSU

Daugherty announced Feb. 25 that he was entering the transfer portal. The three-star safety from suburban Atlanta already had enrolled at LSU.

Losing depth and youth at a future position of need isn't ideal. But Daugherty was also the lowest-rated of LSU's three safety signees, behind four-star Ryan Yaites and four-star Kylin Jackson.

Malik Nabers' status

Nabers was arrested and charged with carrying an illegal weapon on Monday, Feb. 20., according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office records. The charges were dropped the next day on the condition that the weapon wouldn't be returned to Nabers.

When asked about Nabers' status for spring, an LSU spokesperson had no update.

Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football: John Jancek becomes special teams coordinator