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In a move that has been rumored for weeks, LSU general manager Austin Thomas is leaving his post in Baton Rouge for a position with Tennessee, according to 247 sports.
Thomas is a Nashville native, graduating from Lipscomb University. He did multiple things for LSU, including recruiting, football operations and even some coaching. According to the report, Thomas is expected to fill a similar role at Tennessee.
He doesn’t have ties to new head coach Jeremy Pruitt, but he worked as a recruiting intern under new Tennessee AD Phillip Fulmer back in 2008. He remained on staff through the Lane Kiffin year.
His wheelhouse remains in recruiting, where he is credited with helping LSU pull five star talent out of the state of Tennessee.
Austin Thomas has a ton of ties in the Volunteer State. He got a pair of 5-stars (Jacob Phillips and Jacoby Stevens) to LSU last year. HUGE move for Jeremy Pruitt to try and lock down Tennessee's boarders.
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) December 13, 2017
Losing GM Austin Thomas to Tennessee is a major hit for #LSU
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) December 13, 2017
Thomas was one of -- if not -- the most valuable members of Orgeron's staff. Eye for talent, built relationships with recruits and helped run the entire operation.
Nonetheless, Vols adding a great piece to program
Pruitt mentioned the fact that he wants to make Tennessee “our state” again. This is a big time move to do just that. With Thomas now on the staff, Pruitt has already assembled a group of absolute rockstar recruiters. His plan is clear. Tennessee is going to work to bring top talent back to Knoxville and figure out the rest after that.