Report: Bill Belichick to add key LSU staffer to UNC staff

By Matt Moscona

BATON ROUGE, La. — New North Carolina coach Bill Belichick is expected to hire LSU senior defensive analyst Bob Diaco as his linebackers coach, according to a report from Inside Carolina.

While Diaco’s title positions him with the defense, he also played a key role with LSU’s special teams units the past two seasons. In August 2023, Diaco was promoted to special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach amid a staff shakeup when defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey suffered a medical emergency.

LSU Fall Camp – Day 2

Bob Diaco working with LSU JACKs

Dude is ALL ENERGY! pic.twitter.com/cR59NcEU6V

— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) August 4, 2023

Diaco resumed his analyst role after the 2023 season. However, with a new rule that allows analysts to coach on the field, Diaco was seen during fall camp organizing and running special teams drills. He was also on a headset during games, involved in special teams plays.

Slade Nagle was hired to coach tight ends and special teams in 2024, but the special teams duties were split between the two.

Nagle left LSU last month to become the offensive coordinator at Houston. Brian Kelly has still not filled the vacancy on his staff.

Since arriving at LSU prior to the 2022 season, Kelly has not had a full-time on-field staff member dedicated to special teams. Kelly did not retain Greg McMahon from Ed Orgeron’s staff.

Diaco, 51, has worked with Kelly at each of his last four stops. He served as defensive coordintor at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Notre Dame before becoming head coach at UConn.