re: Did O really say he doesn't expect to win championships?

Didn't see it, but that's not how it's being quoted.

He said, something to the effect, they didn't impose championship expectations on the team (players).

Still bad, but not quite the same thing. This isn't UAB, La Tech, or even SMU (all due respect) - LSU players come to the school and the coaches are hired to compete for SEC and National Championships in football. Even in the darkest days of Curley, that was the mindset - we have a talent-rich recruiting pool, no real in-state competition for that pool, a football focus in the state, a football emphasis in the AD, a top-tier stadium and, on good days, fanbase, etc., etc.

So, it is a verbal gaffe at the very least. Warrants a talking to by the AD, if we had one.