| 18 January 2011
So, in my opinion, who are the most viable candidates for the job? Who is the next great wonder to bring LSU's offense out of the mediocre doldrums that Gary Crowton put them in?
TCU Co-offensive coordinator, Justin Fuente. Fuente brings a ton of potential, a lot of upside in his candidacy. The down side? Experience. Yep, it really is that simple. Fuente has literally been a part of history at TCU ... but how much of the credit is actually his versus someone else's?
Don't believe me? Just take a look at Lane Kiffin's over all resume from his original stint at USC and compare his two year's of collegiate results.
Fuente has the talent, he has shown that he can work with young quarterbacks ... but I have problems getting past his experience.
North Carolina Tar Heels' Offensive Coordinator, Frank Cignetti. Yeah, I am laughing at this one too, Cignetti is on NO ONE's radar. He has the experience (Fresno State and North Carolina, of all places), albeit brief. Cignetti has experience with in pro-spread offenses and would be a hindrance with a mobile quarterback ... plus, LSU would have to steal him from Rutger's after only being on the staff for about two weeks ... which is doable.
Auburn Offensive Coordinator, Gus Malzahn ... If I ran any type of spread offense, Malzahn would be the first call I would make. Open the pocket book and make him the coach in waiting ... my bad, just ask Texas how well that works.
In case you are wondering, the last two are thrown in as complete humor ... had to do it for my "Way East of Atlanta Friends".
Arkansas Offensive Coordinator, Garrick McGee. McGee has talent coming in behind Ryan Mallet, but honestly, McGee has interviewed for other positions and is interested in becoming a head coach. Nothing will increase that draft stock (or utterly destroy it) like joining the staff of a high profile SEC football team.
McGee would actually be a top five pick for me ... even with the offensive struggles that the Razorbacks had during the early and middle part of last season. Keep your eye on him.
Shawn Watson, Offensive Coordinatorat Nebraska. Too much experience? Could be. The wrong experience? You betcha. Still a dark horse candidate? Look at how Nebraska's rebuilding offense has progressed. LSU is in the same boat and the fans are going to have a difficult time stomaching the growing pains that are heading their way.
On a side thought, LSU is a week late and a dollar short, or their offensive coordinator could have come from Boise State ... a collective "Doh!" from the peanut gallery?
LSU has certainly watched several viable candidates pass-by ... any of which they could have easily lured to Baton Rouge ... now that the recruiting clock is ticking, Les Miles had better get to moving or their replacement could look very, very Crowton-esque.
In my opinion, and I could easily be incorrect, Fuente is a mistake waiting to happen ... and several key boosters are pitching their chits into his bucket.
One thing is for certain, LSU must look outside of the "gotta be from the South, gotta be from the SEC" line of thinking on this hire. The University LOVES pulling their coaches from Northern schools and has had success, so could the next offensive coordinator come from the Big-10? It is a possibility, but not a given.
Other coaches to keep an eye on: Mark Whipple, Dana Holgorsen (google that one, think you might be surprised), and OU's Kevin Wilson.
