LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper will be leaving the University for a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Associate Athletics Director Michael Bonnette confirmed Wednesday.
Cooper, 50, spent three years with the Tigers, joining the coaching staff in 2009 after a five-year stint at South Carolina, and he is rumored to be taking the defensive backs job with Tampa Bay.
The Huntsville, Ala., native directed a secondary that ranked No. 9 in the nation, allowing 166.62 yards per game through the air last season, after ranking No. 11 in 2010 and No. 29 in 2009.
Cooper also had his hand in the development of three national award-winning cornerbacks in his time at LSU, including First-Team All-American and Thorpe and Bednarik Award winner Patrick Peterson, fellow Thorpe winner Morris Claiborne and fellow Bednarik winner Tyrann Mathieu.
 
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