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The New Year has started well for the LSU football program.

The Tigers have hired Wisconsin’s Dave Aranda as LSU’s new defensive coordinator. The school announced Aranda’s hiring on the LSU sports website.

As defensive coordinator, Aranda led Wisconsin to the number one regular season ranking in points allowed at 13.1. Wisconsin was third in the FBS in total defense, 4th in rushing defense, and 7th in passing defense.

LSU hired Aranda two days after Kevin Steele bolted for Auburn.

LSU head coach Les Miles interviewed Aranda for the same position a year ago when John Chavis left for Texas A&M.

“This is a great hire for us,” Miles said. “Dave has an outstanding track record of producing some of the best defenses in college football. We’ve seen him up close and understand how difficult it is to have success against him.”

In 2014, Wisconsin held LSU to 126 yards rushing in a game that LSU won 28-24.

LSU’s first game is against Wisconsin, September 3rd at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.