Coaches Following Miles to LSU from OSU

Bil Clay - Defensive Coordinator
Josh Henson - Tight Ends Coach
Todd Monken - Wide Receivers
Doug Mallory - Defensive Backs

Mack Butler will also be here in some form or fashion.

Karl Dunbar-as I said-will return from Chi-town and come back to the Big Raggedy to become the Defensive Line coach for the Tigers.

There is a good chance that Jimbo Fisher will actually stay as OC...But also that Miles has a decision to make if Fisher doesn't make it for him by bolting for NC State between Jimbo & Crowton.

 

Well, I'll say this...A lot of how a defensive coordinator is viewed based on performance has to do with his talent on-hand. The word on the street is that OSU wasn't exactly pumping out top-ranked defenses.

I mean, it was difficult to recruit at both of his major stops...Both Moo U and Stillwater...

I will honestly stop and say that with the pieces of the puzzle in place already, Clay has only to add upon the existing foundation. He knows what this defenses strengths are, and was shown what it's weaknesses were.

He knows he has talented but untested corners who sat behind elite playmakers. He knows he has a multi-talented and great up the middle defensive line with guys like Glen Dorsey, Claude Wroten, and Kyle Williams. He also knows that he's got Cameron Vaughn, Kuale, Sanders and Highsmith...a vet combined with loads of young experience (Kuale will actually be a senior, I think) at linebacker who will make plays...He knows he's got excellent talent at safety, both on the field and ready to step up...

In short...He's got the players in place to execute a high octane, aggressive, man-to-man pass rush happy defense...and what coordinator doesn't want that? The question will be, what's his philosophy towards playcalling, and how does he replenish his talent, and-indirectly-his success on the field through recruiting...

 

I understand the concern about Clay, but both Coach Clay and Coach Miles simply must know that you cannot win consistenly in the SEC unless you can play good defense. This isn't the WAC.

I trust everything will be fine on that side of the ball.

 

Has anyone heard fate of Coach Collins? He's been good for our LB's this year. He's a real good guy and would hate to see him leave.

 

Guys...They didn't have the talent on hand to put an emphasis on dominant defenses. They were up against OU in their home state. They were up against the entire NATION in Texas.

They weren't just not #1 in their own state, but they weren't #1 in any area outside of Stillwater.

Look, think of it this way...LSU's starting front four last year was the following:

Marcus Spears - DE - U-Lab School - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Chad Lavalais - DT - Marksville, Louisiana
Kyle Williams - DT - Ruston, Louisiana
Marquise Hill - DT/DE - New Orleans, Louisiana

That basically means that we just walked in and-with the help of Saban's recruiting-waltzed off with the best defensive line-perhaps in collegiate football history-without Saban ever having to use the resources of a cellphone with nationwide roaming and long distance.

Clay-no matter where he's been-has EVER had that luxury. They have arrived in a situation where they can not only compete, but be a Top 15 team by recruiting exclusively in their home state. They also have the comfort of knowing that there is no "bigger fish" in this state than the Purple & Gold.

They are the top dogs. They're no longer underdogs. They're not working from a stacked deck.

Everything will benefit because of this. Their recruiting will benefit, which will translate into talent available, which will translate into versatility in philosophy, schemes, playcalling, and ultimately, performance.

You can't judge Saban's results in comparison to his LSU run because we all know the situation was different. The same holds true in this situation as well, Tiger fans. Give this staff-which is still very much in flux-a chance to gel, mesh, and recruit.

 

Only thing I have

is that Travis Jones has been retained and will be the Defensive Lineman coach. Also, interesting as Jimbo Fisher or Gary Crowton is going to be the QB coach.

 

Great points TigerEducated...

I guess it must be the Denham Springs connection thing...I always seem to agree with you. I made a similar argument on a thread a couple of days ago...you were not on line to support my discourse and the most notorous response was 'blahblahblah'. Guess I don't enough reputation points yet...still somewhat a
Tiger Forum virgin, I guess.

Tried to respond to your PM last week but your mailbox was full.

 

OOOOpppssss

Mac Butler will help out and coach the Linebackers!

 

amedee83,


I used to live in Hubert. Fly your flag proudly, I always did.

Semper Fi