In the constantly changing landscape of college football, it is not unusual to notice coaching staffs and athletics departments coming to the defense of colleagues leaving for new horizons. One such instance recently played out at Brian Kelly’s LSU, where an off-field member is heading west to join a rising Big Ten staff. And this didn’t go unnoticed. As one of Kelly’s most trusted Lieutenants, the Associate Athletic Director (Associate AD) led the charge in saluting the young staffer on social media with a message.

AD Scott Woodward and the athletic leadership at the university frequently speak out about the need to lift up staff at every level, aware that these relationships directly affect the morale and health of the department. That’s what transpired when Jake Sugarman, a young star on LSU football recruiting and scouting operations, revealed his next adventure. Jake Sugarman’s experience at LSU quickly gained praise for his relentless hard work in recruiting and scouting players, and forming friendships with high school coaches throughout the nation.

When the news came out that UCLA was bringing in Sugarman as their new Director of Scouting and High School Relations, it was a proud moment for all those who had worked under him at LSU. And Associate AD, Austin Thomas, could not remain calm and posted a heartfelt message on X commending his growth. “@jakesugarman1 I am so proud of you, and I am looking forward to watching your continued growth – you’ve earned this opportunity. You have been a blessing to #LSU, and there is no doubt that you will be successful in all that you do in the future! GO BE GREAT!” After serving his time in the trenches at LSU and Arizona State, Sugarman is loading up the bags to head to sunny California.

Sugarman began his career at Arizona State, getting his education under the tutelage of Kenny Dillingham, and then jumped to LSU, where he served the past year as a Player Personnel Assistant. Now he’s off to UCLA, where DeShaun Foster is assembling a staff that’s not just about hustle and relationships. Sugarman even worked with the Kansas City Chiefs. By hiring someone with an SEC and NFL scouting background, the Bruins demonstrate their dedication to creating a culture of winners. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, and high school relationships are more crucial than ever in the transfer portal age.

For LSU, the loss of Sugarman is another turn in a hectic offseason. Several key personnel have already left the Tigers—Tiffany to the Philadelphia Eagles, and each loss creates an opening that they must fill. But it’s also something that attests that the program is a springboard for individuals who desire to develop in this industry, as Austin also said. And Jake’s previous manager also didn’t hesitate to endorse him. But the praise wasn’t limited to LSU; ASU HC Kenny Dillingham made it quite explicit that Jake is going to be unstoppable in his profession.

Kenny Dillingham pays tribute to his former student

Dillingham, who coached Jake Sugarman at Arizona State, didn’t just share the news; he celebrated it, subtly signaling that Sugarman’s promotion is the kind of success story that makes coaching worthwhile. “Jake will do great !!!!!! It was great to work with here,” Kenny wrote on X. Rewind a couple of years, and you’ll find Sugarman cutting his teeth at Arizona State, learning the ropes under Dillingham and the Sun Devils’ staff. At the time, he was merely a young man attempting to establish himself, learning everything there is to know about recruiting, watching film, and the rigors of college football operations.

Sugarman did not spend his tenure at Arizona State while networking with high school coaches, evaluating prospects, and assisting in devising the Sun Devils’ recruiting plan. He worked in the engine room; he is the one who got things done behind the scenes, even though his name doesn’t appear in the headlines very often. When he departed Arizona State, Sugarman had already established himself as someone the coaches could count on to get the job done. As he sets off to UCLA, it’s undeniable that the Bruins are signing a steal deal.