Right Terry. About the author, Scott an I have been friends for years. Some may remember when he started "Purple and Gold" magazine, to compete with Tiger Rag Magazine. To look at this, one would have to wonder how Les could win so many games at LSU? When Les was hired, Jimbo was offered to go to Miami, had other offers, but passed an wanted to work with Les. Les also got a former LSU player (Karl Dunbar) to come in for one year an help with the transition. Les gave Karl his first real job in college, while at Okie Lite. Jimbo recruited, Lee, an if Jimbo would have stayed, might have done a better job with Lee. Scott talks about the players, but not much about the OC. Crowton, his years have been hit an miss. Krags was off for a year for the health of his wife. It was known the before he left A&M, he would return after his wife would get better, an soon be the OC under Mike Sherman. But before his return to A&M, Les offered him a job and all was set. Then health of Krags set in, Les was not going to release Krags, during this time, health problem of him and his wife. So he bit the bullet. I often talk about Les thinking outside the box( yea, I know, we can make some funnies on that one). But this was one more time Les stood by his coaches. Sometimes he is too loyal, maybe this is his downfall? He sticks his neck out for his players too much also, thinking he can help everyone of them, into a better player, but more so, a better person. Once again, sorry to ramble on.
The linked article is proof that Cody Worsham reads this board: "For all Miles’ strengths, quarterback development remains an obvious and detrimental weakness that has cost the program dearly. Give the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 defenses a capable quarterback at the helm, and Miles might have more rings on his fingers." http://www.tigerrag.com/football/worsham-lsu-qb-woes-arent-the-quarterbacks-fault
Read some recent articles on the QB issues recently and your comments somewhat align to what I understand. The one difference is that I think the challenge does sit squarely in the hands of the coaching staff and their ability (or inability) to modify their approach based on trends and player skills. The offense that Miles wants to run is better suited to a drop back, pro style type of QB (see also Flynn and Mettenberger). Miles' style provides little opportunity to succeed for a spread - option - running QB. Look back the QB's who found success here and those that have struggled. The picture is pretty clear in my mind. So, that leaves Miles with a couple of options: adjust the offense to fit the skills that you are recruiting or adjust your recruiting to fit the offense that you want to run. When you look at it this way it makes you wonder why we recruit a bunch of players to fit a run first, ball control offense and then try to fit an option QB in as the leader of that offense. Isn't that a bit like hiring a fighter pilot to sail your ship? Pounding round pegs into square holes etc etc... For true and sustained success you have to define your approach and then fill that system with the skill sets that align with your approach. Putting the right players in the right position in the right system with good coaching = high ceilings. Fit is so very important and right now I don't get the impression that our QB's are right for his system. Just a thought ...
What are the % of high school teams that run a Pro style offense? Not many, single wing and wing T. Many run a spread, but it has a Check-with-Me. Whatever a QB does, to make in the Pro's he has to make the jump. JT Curtis has been running the same thing year after year, you could blindfold his QB and he could make the handoffs.
I agree with Tiger420, we seem to miss the boat between recruiting and offensive philosophy as far as the qb goes anyway. Dad I watched these guys practice about 20 years ago and they had a rope tied from the qb to the pitch man and they went in tandem the whole practice. The qb was coached to pitch the ball at the second he had contact and the pitchman was always there to receive it. It didn't matter if they were 20 yards downfield he would pitch on contact and the pitchman would get another 20 yards. It was a thing of beauty. Reminded me of the guy that used to coach John Erhet, he told me one time he had 3 run and 2 pass plays and he ran them until his guys could do it with their eyes closed. If you can run it better than they can stop it, keep doing it.
I'm trying to remember, was Jesse Daigle at John Erhet? I'm thinking thats where he was before he was hired by Bill Arnsparger. I was talking with Jesse two days ago, hes now my insurance agent. Hes doing well. Many on that staff is still around and doing well. Ed Zaunbrecher, the last time I saw him, he was the OC at Rice, talked with him for a while. I think he got out of coaching after that.
It may have been him, it seems like the guy was in insurance and told me he used to coach at Erhet. I remember him being a real nice guy and talked about the little things that make you a success, like practicing the basics, and repetition, those kind of things. I can't remember why I was talking to him, not sure if it was a sporting event, or work related, I just remember the things he talked about.
