What makes this time around different?

When Les Miles was fired everyone in Baton Rouge talked about how special the job is and that every coach in America would be lining up to get the spot. Months later, LSU was left at the alter by several top candidates and ended up with O.

Fast forward a few years and the same thing happens with the coordinators search; LSU was going to get the best available, then ends up with two guys who seemed good on paper, but had zero experience and weren't exactly highly sought after by other teams.

I know the first difference is at AD. Woodward is obviously better than Alleva in every facet of the position, but was Alleva fully to blame for the failed HC search? Or are there other factors involved? Crime, academic budget cuts, pollution, weak economy, etc. Are the factors that motivate college graduates to move out of state contributing to a shallower pool of potential candidates? Even with the millions in pay, do young coaches have second thoughts about bringing their families here?

I honestly believe that these big targets like Franklin, Riley, and Fisher will simply use this as an opportunity for a pay raise, and LSU will be left reaching once again. This is why I feel like the second tier candidates like Napier, Aranda, or Fickell are your most likely hires.

Flame away.