LSU brought back a familiar face on Wednesday, hiring former Tigers star Kevin Faulk to coach the team’s running backs.

Faulk is LSU’s all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. He is member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

He replaces Tommie Robinson, who left the staff for the same position with Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.

The on-field assignment is a dream come true, said Faulk, who’s been on head coach Ed Orgeron’s staff since joining as director of player development in January of 2018.

“The day I graduated high school I knew I wanted to be a coach,” the Carencro native said. “The coaches I had growing up meant so much to me and the community, and I knew I wanted to be that guy.

“To coach at my alma mater is the best thing I could ever hope for. I wear the purple and gold with pride every day, and I am ready to get going to help win another national championship.”

“Kevin is a great teacher and mentor and someone that has earned the respect and love of our players,” Orgeron said. “We are honored to have one of the greatest players in LSU history as part of our coaching staff. This is a home run hire.”

Faulk rushed for 4,577 yards during his four years at LSU (1995-98) and left as the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards and is third all-time in the conference with 46 rushing touchdowns and rushing yards.

He was drafted in the second round by New England, where he spent his entire 13-year career. He played in five Super Bowls and was named to the Patriots’ all-decade team of the 2000s as well as making the New England 50-year anniversary team as a kick returner.