Dean Petzing Season 2025
Dean Petzing joined the LSU Football staff in 2022 as a Lead Offensive Analyst (quarterbacks) under head coach Brian Kelly. Petzing spent the previous three seasons (2019-21) on Kelly’s staff as both a graduate assistant working with the offensive line (2019) and an analyst focusing on tight ends (2020) and quarterbacks (2021) at Notre Dame.
In two years at LSU, Petzing contributed in the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner. In 2023, Daniels led the nation in total offense with an SEC record 412.2 yards per game. He also set the FBS record for pass efficiency with a 208.0 rating as he completed 236-of-327 passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
Daniels capped his career as the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards (12,749) and rush for 3,000 yards (3,307). In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, Daniels was also the recipient of the Davey O’Brien, Manning, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards. He was also the Walter Camp, AP and Sporting News Player of the Year.
As a unit, LSU’s offense led the nation in scoring (45.5) and total offense (543.5) in 2023. The Tigers topped the 40-point mark and 500-yards of offense nine times. In a 52-35 win over Florida, LSU tallied 701 total yards – the most ever given up a Gator defense – and Daniels set the SEC record with 606 yards (234 rushing, 374 passing). In doing so, Daniels became the first player in FBS history to rush for 200 yards and pass for 350 yards in a game.
In his two years on the LSU staff, the Tigers have won 20 games, captured the SEC Western Division (2022) and claimed two bowl victories (Citrus and ReliaQuest).
During Petzing’s time in South Bend, the Fighting Irish amassed a 32-6 record. He coached four linemen who became NFL professionals – Liam Eichenberg (2nd round, 2021), Aaron Banks (2nd round, 2021), Rob Hainsey (3rd round, 2021), Tommy Kraemer (undrafted) – along with 2021 third-round selection tight end Tommy Tremble, future draft pick tight end Michael Mayer and quarterback Jack Coan.
In 2018, Petzing served as the tight ends coach for the Colonial Athletic Association champion Maine Black Bears during the 2018 season. Petzing’s tight ends unit proved to be a vital part of the game plan, led by team captain and All-CAA selection Drew Belcher who hauled in 46 receptions for 357 yards and a touchdown before being signed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
Prior to his year at Maine, Petzing spent two seasons on staff at Ball State. In 2017, Petzing served as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line. In his first year at Ball State, Petzing was a graduate assistant working with the wide receivers. In the fall of 2015, Petzing spent a year as the tight ends coach and offensive assistant at Villanova.
Petzing, a native of Wellesley, Mass., started his coaching career at Yale working with defensive backs including future Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who led the NFL in tackles in 2021-22 with 192. Prior to joining the Yale staff, Petzing spent two seasons as a student assistant with his alma mater, St. Lawrence University.
Petzing graduated from St. Lawrence in 2014 with a bachelor of science double major in mathematics and economics while earning a minor in statistics. His brother Drew serves as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals.