Best Coaching Option For LSU

LSU has been to 15 straight bowl games (the longest current streak in college football), and has become the pinnacle of college football. So why should LSU sign coach Orgeron quickly then? While some may feel that there is no urgency about the coaching situation at LSU; those people would be incorrect. Schools like Miami and the University of Texas stood atop the apex of college football for years and today they have fallen to nearly the bottom of their respective conferences. The same can happen to LSU. How you may ask? The crux of the problem is that LSU made the decision not to fire Les after last season.  Instead they waited until after LSU had lost their second game of the season against Auburn and this choice will effect recruiting.

You may not realize it, but recruiting is one of the most important things involved in college football.  Entire programs can be completely revitalized by effective recruiting.  However the reverse is equally true.  So anything that detracts from LSU’s ability to recruit could have major repercussions for the program as a whole. To say it can’t is pure arrogance. But don’t just take our word for it, let’s look at what the changes in coaching staff has already done.  Of the top 50 recruits from Louisiana, a large number of them have already signed with SEC opponents like Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, amongst others.

So how would signing coach Orgeron now help LSU instead of waiting until after the season is over? Well by signing him now will reassure the current signees of the future of LSU and will give coach “O” the ability to go out and make promises to other recruits to bring in a top class this season. It is very important that LSU gets some good recruits in this season because nearly half of this year’s starters will go into the 2017 draft after the season, and the other half will go into the 2018 draft. So to save the future of LSU football, it is important to have a top recruiting class for this season and only coach Orgeron can do that.

Since taking over as the interim head coach for the Tigers, coach Orgeron has gone 4-1 winning 42-7 over Missouri in his debut, a 45-10 win over Southern Miss and a 38-21 win over Ole Miss. The 35 point win over Mizzou was the second largest margin of victory for a LSU head coach in his first game with there Tigers. Nick Saban has the largest margin of victory in a debut, beating Western Carolina 58-0. However, the 87 points scored by the Tigers in Orgeron’s first two games bests Saban’s 86 in his first two games in charge.  He is the first coach in the SEC era to win his first games by 30 or more points and the first to win his first three by double digits.

So in my oppionion, Coach O makes the best option as the head coach of the LSU Tigers.

Statement by Joe Alleva:

Dear Tiger Fans,

With just two games left in the regular season, I wanted to give Tiger fans an update on the hiring of our new head football coach.  I take this responsibility very seriously and know the most important job I currently face is hiring the right head coach, leader and role model for the young athletes who choose to study and play for LSU.

I’ve identified a very specific set of guidelines in selecting our head coach. His first directive from me will be to create a culture of excellence and character in every facet of our football program in order to compete at a championship level every year.

He must have the highest standards of integrity and work ethic LSU fans have come to expect.

He must be a skilled and relentless recruiter, attracting the most gifted student-athletes to our university while instilling pride and confidence in parents who entrust their children to our program.

He must be able to motivate our players to perform at the highest level, and to hold them accountable to certain standards of behavior both on and off the field. He must be committed to continuing a tradition defined by character and integrity.

He must have the instinct to adapt to changes in the game of college football, allowing LSU to compete for championships every year.

Finally, he must be an accomplished leader of the young men who will rely on him for strength and guidance and from whom they will learn valuable lessons that will have a lasting impact on their lives.

I’m very confident we will hire a man possessing all of these traits to be the head coach of our beloved Fighting Tigers.

We are excited about Saturday’s game against Florida and hope to see you all there.

As always, we welcome your comments at at*******@ls*.edu. Unfortunately, we cannot answer every e-mail we receive, but please be assured they are all read.

Happy Thanksgiving and Geaux Tigers!

Joe Alleva
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics