re: Not sure if we can get Drew or Dixon...sooooo

As a life-long LSU basketball fan, I would like to comment on the coaching situation. The LSU Basketball program has been in disarray since Trent Johnson was hired. He never was a legitimate hire and he proved that game after game. It was so frustrating to witness the debacle of a program that was solid during the Dale Brown era. It has been well-documented from my previous posts from the beginning that I firmly felt that Trent Johnson was not a good hire at LSU. While Johnson might be a nice guy, he is not a good coach. Anyone that believes otherwise is very oblivious to the truth, including our new best friends at TCU for taking him off of our hands.

Now that the Trent Johnson era is over, the water cooler talk is that who will replace him. To answer this debate, there are a few points to ponder. First, who would be interested in the job and why? The point eliminates many from contention. There have been a lot of names thrown out there, and most are so unrealistic from the standpoint in their interest in the position. LSU is not currently prime real estate in the college basketball neighborhood. While it is easy to throw out names from an excited fan's point of view, it is irresponsible and inefficient to the process to do so. Second, which legitimate contenders are available? From my estimate, most of these will be eager, young assistant coaches with very limited experience. There are some experienced head coaches with baggage rotating through the claim zone. So what is better, experience and baggage vs. inexperience and a clean slate? Personally, I feel Bruce Pearl is the best candidate from the "baggage claim" zone. He is a proven SEC and NCAA winner. He is competitive and has the personality to attracts support and interest through attendance. Many will argue about the recruiting ban for him through 2014. So? Anyone who knows anything about collegiate coaching knows all too well that the assistant's role is to carry out the recruiting of players. While Bruce Pearl will not be recruiting, his name speaks volumes from his past coaching successes. There will be a multitude to disagree with this endorsement, but that is just my opinion.

Regardless of who gets hired, Trent Johnson packing his bags and moving on is a much needed bandaid to a sore of failure of the LSU Basketball program. Let's make the right decision and bring back the program to its glory days. Geaux Tigers!