After an 8-5 season in which they lost three out of their last four games and finished 80th in the nation for total offense, LSU will enter 2015 with a retooled coaching staff. Former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis departed for rival Texas A&M to serve in that same capacity there due in large part to his frustration with his defense having to cover for the Tigers inept offense. But Miles has turned accident into design with two astute coaching hires as a response.
A Defense to be built by Steele
First, Miles hired new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, a man that he has had an eye on for a number of years.
“I have wanted to hire coach Steele for some time,” Miles said. “Were it not for his Clemson buyout, he would have been here a while ago.”
He then quickly added defensive line coach and recruiter extraordinaire Ed Orgeron to the LSU staff. With national signing day fast approaching in three weeks, the blitz will be on for new talent.
Few coaches can match Orgeron for his ability to haul in five star talent. Orgeron is a former head coach at Ole Miss and knows how to recruit in the ruthless and anything goes wars of Southeastern Conference. He is also a Cajun now coaching in the heart of Cajun country.
“Coach Orgeron’s Ole Miss teams played so hard,” Miles said. “He has great enthusiasm for the state of Louisiana. Both will have a great impact on our defense.”
Familiarity
Steele’s son served as a graduate assistant for Miles for three years and that gives Steele tremendous familiarity with the program. He has been a defensive coordinator twice before, first at Alabama in 2007, and then at Clemson from 2009 through 2011. He most recently served as Director of Player Personnel for Alabama, which also gives him a running start at SEC recruiting.
“I am familiar with what the scheme was here,” said Steele, who has already watched “all the tape” of the LSU defense.
Feeling at Home
Orgeron was quite happy to join the LSU staff.
“I grew up in south Louisiana watching LSU,” said Orgeron. “I feel like I’m at home. I can’t wait to gout out there to recruit with that big LSU on my chest. I am going to bring my enthusiastic, aggressive style. I came here to be part of a great staff.”
Orgeron took the 2014 season off after leaving USC. He was upset at not being chosen as the full time USC head coach after going 6-2 as interim head coach in 2013.
Miles has his share of critics and his seat is a little warmer than it was one year ago. He has responded in impressive fashion with two proven recruiters and coaches.
