No rush to judgement

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Coach Ed Orgeron is one day away from starting his second full season as LSU’s head football coach.

Orgeron has posted an impressive record in his time as the Tigers’ interim head coach in 2016 and then as the permanent head coach in 2017. LSU has a 15-6 record in that span. The Tigers have won more than 70 percent of their games under Orgeron.

Yet, there are numerous college football observers who have Orgeron on the hot seat. In fact, there are odds which show that Orgeron is the leader for being the first Southeastern Conference coach to be fired in 2018.

There has probably not been a coach anywhere who has registered a record like Orgeron and is considered a candidate to be fired. It is hard to explain how Orgeron’s job could be on the line this season. Many people have so little confidence in Orgeron leading the program.

Orgeron must face a very challenging 2018 schedule – five opponents who won at least nine games a year ago – with a very inexperienced offense – three returning starters. Those two facts should make people believe a rebuilding year is in the offing for LSU.

An eight-win regular season would be a solid accomplishment for Orgeron and his staff with this roster. A .500 season would not be acceptable. However, many Tigers supporters will not be happy with anything less than nine victories. Such thoughts reflect unrealistic expectations.

Let’s do a little comparison with LSU’s last two head coaches – Nick Saban and Les Miles. Both Saban and Miles had great success in their second season as Tigers coach.

In 2001, Saban led LSU to the SEC title and a Sugar Bowl victory against Illinois. The Tigers went 10-3 and finished No. 7 in the country. In 2006, Miles led the Tigers to a Sugar Bowl victory against Notre Dame. LSU ended with an 11-2 record and finished No. 3 in the country.

But, both Saban and Miles fielded vastly more experienced teams in their second season than what Orgeron will have at his disposal in 2018.

In the Tigers’ 2001 season-opener against Tulane, Saban started just three players who had not been in the program for more than two years – offensive lineman Stephen Peterman, defensive lineman Chad Lavalais and defensive back Erin Damond. Former coach Gerry DiNardo brought in the other 19 starters.

In LSU’s 2006 season-opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, Miles started only one player who had not been in the program for more than two years – offensive lineman Ciron Black. Saban signed the other 21 starters.

Now, let’s check the Tigers’ depth chart heading into the opening of preseason practice. One could easily project right now that 12 individuals who have not been in the LSU program more than two years will start in the season-opener against Miami.

The possible offensive starters brought in by Orgeron are wide receivers Jonathan Giles and Justin Jefferson; offensive linemen Saahdiq Charles, Ed Ingram and Austin Deculus; quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The possible defensive starters signed by Orgeron are defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko, inside linebacker Jacob Phillips, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, cornerback Terrence Alexander and safety Grant Delpit.

There could possibly be only ten Miles signees in the starting lineup for the Tigers against the Hurricanes. The 2015 and 2016 recruiting classes had 15 players who transferred from LSU. Then, there were the usual number of Tigers players who left early for the NFL.

So, everyone needs to examine the LSU personnel in 2018. Orgeron and his staff should be evaluated according to player development. The Tigers certainly have young players with talent. However, this talent must blossom if LSU is going to be a serious contender for the SEC championship next season.

Orgeron must put on the field a team which is much better in November that September. That critical task begins when practice opens Saturday.

Here was the starting lineup for LSU against Tulane in the 2001 season-opener.

Offense

WR: Jerel Myers, Jr.

WR: Josh Reed, Jr.

TE: Robert Royal, Sr.

OT: Jason Baggett, Sr.

OT: Rodney Reed, So. (redshirt)

G: Stephen Peterman, So.

G: Dwayne Pierce, Sr.

C: Rob Sale, Jr.

QB: Rohan Davey, Sr.

TB: LaBrandon Toefield, So. (redshirt)

FB: Solomon Lee, Jr.

Defense

DE: Kenderick Allen, Jr.

DE: Jarvis Green, Sr.

DT: Muskingum Barnes, Sr.

DT: Chad Lavalais, So.

LB: Jeremy Lawrence, Jr.

LB: Trev Faulk, Jr.

LB: Bradie James, Jr.

CB: Erin Damond, So.

CB: Demetrius Hookfin, Jr.

S: Ryan Clark, Sr.

S: Lionel Thomas, Sr.

Here was the starting lineup for LSU against Louisiana-Lafayette in the 2006 season-opener.

Offense

WR: Craig Davis, Sr.

WR: Early Doucet, Jr.

TE: Keith Zinger, Sr.

OT: Ciron Black, So.

OT: Peter Dyakowski, Sr.

G: Will Arnold, Jr.

G: Brian Johnson, Sr.

C: Brett Helms, So. (redshirt)

QB: JaMarcus Russell, Jr.

TB: Justin Vincent, Sr.

FB: Jacob Hester, Jr.

Defense

DE: Chase Pittman, Jr.

DE: Ryan Willis, Sr.

DT: Glenn Dorsey, Jr.

DT: Tyson Jackson, So. (redshirt)

LB: Ali Highsmith, Jr.

LB: Luke Sanders, Jr.

CB: Chevis Jackson, Jr.

CB: Jonathan Zenon, Jr.

NB: Daniel Francis, Sr.

S: Jessie Daniels, Sr.

S: LaRon Landry, Sr.