The Tigers finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in SEC play, including a loss in the Capital One Bowl, 19–17, against Penn State.

Following the 2008 season, co-defensive coordinators, Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto both left LSU.

Mallory moved on to New Mexico to become defensive coordinator of the Lobos' football program,[1] while Peveto took over as the head coach of the Northwestern State Demons.

[2] The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new defensive coordinator John Chavis, who left the University of Tennessee after the departure of head coach Phillip Fulmer.

Haley was brought aboard as a veteran defensive line coach who has spent time in both the NFL and the Southeastern Conference.

[5] Finally, Josh Henson, who left to become co-offensive line coach for Missouri,[6] was replaced by Don Yanowsky.