LSU, Chavis close to new contract

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is finalizing a new contract that would pay him an average of $1.1 million over the next three seasons and make him one of college football's highest paid assistant coaches.

Chavis, who won the Broyles Award last season as the nation's top assistant coach, has transformed the Tigers into one of the top defensive units in college football.

LSU finished second to Alabama nationally last season in both total defense and scoring defense. The Tigers have ranked in the top 11 nationally in scoring defense during all three of Chavis' seasons at LSU.