Jimbo Fisher, Gary Crowton, Steve Kragthorpe and Greg Studrawa. These are the last four offesensive coordinators at LSU.
Fisher, a tireless recruiter, began his LSU career under Nick Saban. A QB guru, Fisher developed Josh Booty and Rohan Davey, underachieving leftovers from the Dinardo era, into NFL draft picks. In Davey's case, an SEC and Sugar Bowl champion. He molded a strong armed pro baseball reject, Matt Mauch, into a BCS champion. He was able to bring along an enormanously gifted but immature Jemarcus Russell into the number one pick in the entire NFL draft. He laid the ground work for Matt Flynn to win the BCSNC in his first and only season as a collge starter. After one season with Les Miles, Fisher bolted to become the head coach in waiting at Florida St. That wait was four seasons. He chose losing for four seasons rather than win under Miles as OC.
Gary Crowton was considered an offensive "Wizard". As head coach and OC of Louisiana Tech, his offense averaged 36 points per game over four years including upset wins over SEC teams at Mississippi St and at Alabama. After a short stay as OC for the Chicgo Bears, he was chosen to replace BYU legendary head coach Lavell Edwards. Before LSU he lead the offense at Oregon. Known for his wide-open spread option, Crowton was thought to be a perfect fit for the speed of LSU's skilled players. Indeed in his 39 games, LSU scored at least 30 points in 25 of those games. However, with multiple sets and personell packages, LSU was often disorganized. This lead to penatlies, turnovers and infuriating clock mismanagement. He is now coaching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
Steve Kragthorpe's tenure as OC at LSU ended before it began due to the tragic onset of Parkinson's Disease. Known as a QB developer, he stepped down as OC and focused solely on the QBs. The only LSU player to benefit from his tutelage was Jarrett Lee. Lee showed poise and leadership as his team raced to an 8-0 record. However, after a poor showing against Alabama, Lee never saw the field in a meaningful way for LSU again. Kragthorpe had zero effect on Jordan Jefferson and up to now, his prized pupil, Zach Mettenberger shows no sign of development. This despite two springs and two falls under Krag's watch.
Greg Studrawa took over for Kragthorpe as OC. After an incredible string a victories against highly ranked teams and an 8-0 start in 2011, he demoted Lee for poor play during the Alabama game. Jordan Jefferson was inserted as the starter. Coach "Stud"continued to succeed with JJ under center as he benefitted from a world class defense and a dominate running game. However, as his offense unraveled in the BCSCG, he stubbornly called run play after run play with no success. He absolutely refused to replace Jefferson for the same reason he replaced Lee. We all know how that turned out.
2012 started with great promise for the offense. The deepest set of RB's in America. An OL returning multiple starters. Finally, FINALLY, a legit QB with an NFL arm. As the season started and the offense was slow out of the gait, the thought was they needed time to gel and by the start of SEC play, they would be ready to roll. After two conference games, this offense looks worse than Obama's debate against Romney. With key injuries to the O-line and RB and no confidence in the passing game, LSU has become one dimensional. Make that non-dimensional. Starting in the Auburn game, defenses have lined up in run stopping formations with no fear of being attacked in the passing game. LSU has obliged and unlike Obama, they show no sign they can improve their performance. Sadly, LSU just isn't as good as we all thought they were. It's not that the OL is missing blocks, it's that they are unable to block. It's not that the WR's aren't trying, they just can't catch. LSU has no where to go, no one to turn to.
This was boldly demonstarted last Saturday in Gainesville, in their possesion just before halftime. After the defense provided a huge gift and gave the ball to the offense at the Gator six yardline. LSU could not get closer than the three. On third down, confused, LSU called a timeout to regroup. As they lined up after the timeout, the playclock had ticked down so much that another timeout had to be called. This would be embarassing to a playground team. So what did LSU get for their two timeouts? Zip, zilch, nada. A humiliating attempt at a jump pass from the worst down/distance and most obvious formation and personell package possible. Gee, I wonder why a former high school QB is in at tailback on this play? His ONLY play of the game. Way to disguise it, Stud. how did they ever figure it out?!
The one constant through all these OC's has been Les Miles. The OC's change but the style remains they same. Toss up the middle, gain of two. Toss up the middle, no gain. False start. Pass. Complete! Holding. Sack. Punt. Defense forces three and out. Toss up the middle, gain of 5. Toss up the middle, gain of one. Third and three. Toss up the middle, no gain. Punt. Defense holds again. Ware up the middle, no gain. Ford tries the edge, gets three. Pass complete. Illegal formation. Delay of game. Timeout. Sack. Punt. The only person who could possible think this is fun to watch is Miles. But because of the greatest recruit Miles ever signed, John Chavis. LSU will be in all games going into the fourth quarter.
So prepare yourself for this until the Miles era comes to a merciful end.
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