Suggestions for New DC at LSU (Updated Links)

Bradley Dale Peveto is gone and Doug Mallory looks to be leaving. At the time of this update, it appears to be a two horse race between Chavis and Walker, but Tenuta has been mentioned as well. Here are links on them and links of other coaches people have brought up:

This is so that we can keep it in one post.

DeWayne Walker (DC at UCLA) Has NFL experience coaching DBs. Stood in for UCLA as HC when Karl Dorrell was fired. Considered a young up and coming coach who has been named as a possible head coach for a few schools.
UCLA Bio
Rivals profile

John "Johnny" Chavis (DC at Tenn for the time being) Former DC of University of Tenn. Been the DC there since '95. Has been criticized for his use of the Mustang defensive package where defensive backs line up between 5 and 15 yards away from the players they are covering.
Q&A about Chavis

Jon Tenuta (current LBer coach at Notre Dame) Agressive DC at Georgia Tech was considered a front runner for DC at LSU after Bo left last year. Rumor was that he has an "abrasive" personallity that makes him hard to work with.



Greg Robinson (former head coach for the Orange) NFL experience and HC experience. Did a great job at Texas which got him a Head Coaching gig with Syracuse who were horrible and never really got any better. Think the defensive Gary Crowton with a ton more NFL experience. Has recruited this area for Texas previously and could be hired as a consultant and start recruiting for LSU now.

Mike Nolan (former 49er Head Coach) Was LSU's linebacker coach in 1985 and has been in the NFL ever since. Also his dad was a fromer N.O. Saints coach. Probably a pipe dream, but worth a contact.

Dick Bumpas (DC for TCU) Lot of fans mention him, but he runs a 4-2-5 in the Mountain West Confrence and it is said that Gary Patterson is the brains behind the defense. TCU's defense was also good before he got there and hasn't improved, but hasn't got worse either.

Pat Narduzzi (Michigan State DC) Young guy who has built some decent defenses with less talent than LSU has.

Wally Burnham (USF DC) He's old, but has made a pretty good defense at USF and has lots of experience and recruits Florida which we like. Not likely to leave the Sunshine state though.

Karl Dunbar (Defensive Line coach for Minn Vikings) Had some considerations for DC of the Vikings when Mike Tomlin left. Had a former stint with LSU but clashed with Bo Pelini and took current position with Minn.

Ellis Johnson (DC at South Carolina) He's been mentioned as well. Did really well at MSU last year with a senior laden team. Lot of ties around the SEC.

Tyrone Nix (DC at Ole Miss) Did well his first year at USCeast but then was in danger of lossing his job last year before taking the Ole Miss job.

Greg Mattison (LBer Coach with the Ravens) Former co-defensive coordinator at UF left to coach LBers for the Baltimore Ravens. Has coached at Navy & aTm and has been a DC at Michigan, UF and Notre Dame.

Bud Foster (DC at Virgina Tech) - Has been at VT since the mid 80's and has been the Defensive Coordinator since 1995. Two words, "Beamer Ball". Has coached a lot of NFL prospects. Won the Broyles Award in 06 as top assistant coach. Don't know if he would leave.

Ed Orgeron (DL coach of the Saints) Former Ole Miss Coach known as a great recruiter. From Galliano, LA. DL coach for Miami, Syracuse and USC. Never been a DC at any level.

Phil Bennett (DC at Pitt) First year as DC for Pitt. Was SMU head coach from 02-07. Was DC at Kansas State from 99-01. Secondary coach and recruiting coordinator for OU in 97 and DC at Texas A&M in 95-96 where he got Coordinator of the year honors. Coach at LSU from 91-94 where he was DC his final year here. Has also been DC at Purdue and Iowa State.

Frank Spaziani (DC at BC) Known by some as the "mad scientist" has been the DC at BC since 1999 and was interim head coach for a bowl game in 2006. Was DC for two CFL teams; the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers-CFL and also DC at Virgina in the 80's.


Brian VanGorder (DC of the Atlanta Falcons) Former HC of Grand Valley State and Wayne State in the late 80's and early 90's. DC at Central Flordia, Central Michigan and Western Ill before becoming DC at UGA from 2001-2004 where he won the Frank Boyles "Assistant Coach of the Year" award. Then became LBer coach for the Jags before taking the HCing job at Georgia Southern and going back to coach LBers for the Falcons in 2007. Was initially hired as DC for USCeast, but took the job with Mike Smith as DC for the Atlanta Falcons.

Chuck Pagano (Secondary Coach of the Baltimore Ravens) DC at UNC in 07 and UNLV in 1991. Position coach for Miami, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, East Carolina and Boise State.

George Edwards (LBer coach of the Miami Dolphins) Was the Washington Redskins assistant DC in 2002 and sole DC in 2003 before becoming LBer coach for the cleveland browns and miami dolphins. Was previously a LBer coach for the Redskins and the Cowboys. Was DL coach for UGA in 1997. Has turned down the opportunity to be UGA and UF's DC. Has worked with some big names like Dave Campo, Marvin Lewis, Romeo Crennel, Chan Gailey and Jim Bates.