Making Lemonade out of Lemons

I'm a long time reader, 1st time poster. So I understand that there is a good possibility folks will flame me for this one - but I figured I'd share where I'm finding my optimism for LSU football moving forward.

I was in the crowd (which I truly think is the majority) that loves Coach Miles but think it's time for a change. Yesterday's game vs. TA&M was awkward for me - I hated seeing Coach waved around for so long and so publicly, but I believed that LSU needs change. The whole thing felt like we were putting down the family golden retriever that everybody loves - he was loyal, fun... a heckuva dog during his hayday. But the ol' pup can no longer keep up and the longer we delay the obvious, the more it hurts the kids.

But the deed is done (for now) and I'm the type of guy that would rather try to find good in a situation than spend the next 9 months moaning & groaning. So here's where I'm finding my optimism in the program.

1. Keeping CLM will hopefully help us maintain the top recruiting class. The class will provide a lot of depth in areas that we were exposed this year. Sure, I'm still concerned about the QB situation, but perhaps with a deeper, more experienced line (and a more solidified, experienced defense), LF7 and Guice will take the running game to the next level. And perhaps, just perhaps, Harris will become a middle-tier, SEC QB.

2. The players love CLM. That's important to me because I think keeping morale up going into next year is everything. If we kill the morale, we lose everybody next year - a lot like after the 21-0 Title game. Remember how those negative vibes from the locker room caused a mass (early) exit to the NFL? Those negative vibes hurt our recruiting for a couple years.

Whether we agree with them or not, our current players came to LSU to play for CLM. If he got booted, perhaps guys like LF7 and Adams would be mentally checked out too.

3. I'd like to see a long-term (1-2 year) transition. Instead of just firing a guy and replacing him with whoever is the best guy on the market that we can land. I'd like to see us bring in a top, upcoming guy as an OC that might be a tad unproven right now. Sure, I know guys like Tom Herman aren't going to leave a smaller schools Head Coaching job to play second fiddle as an OC - especially if it feels like it's for a lame duck Head Coach. However, if we sell them on a "coach in waiting" role like FSU did with Fisher, that'd be much more enticing to guys like that knowing that they'll be the first in line for the HC in the next year or two as long as they prove they can handle the role.

That role is a lot easier to sell a young, up-comer if he knows he'll inherit a class like the one we have in 2016. Most likely, that class would be in their 2nd or 3rd year when the new guy takes the wheel.

So ultimately my optimism is found in hoping that we bring in a young guy on the up & coming, sell him on the idea of "coach in waiting." If that happens, we won't lose the current locker room because it doesn't blindside them & one of "their guys" is still in charge. Then any future recruits are brought on already knowing our plan = we avoid a massive recruiting fallout.

I'm sure many of you will disagree and kill me for trying to find optimism but I'm forcing myself (and my fanhood) to have enough perspective to realize that what we have isn't so bad. Sure, it isn't all that great... BUT THERE'S HOPE. I never had much of that growing up as an LSU fan in New Orleans throughout the 80s and 90s.

For better or worse, Geaux Tigers.