Yesterday, today and tomorrow…

Yesterday, today and tomorrow…

With all of the hoopla regarding coaching changes, it is time to put things in the proper perspective. One of the best ways to do that is look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

Where We’ve Been

You can go way back with this, but let’s start in the 1980’s. Obvious turmoil with the transition from the Chollie Mac Days. Stovall, Rein, Arnsparger and Archer. Arnsparger repaired the program and got it back on the national college football scene. The problem was that he was near retirement age and moved on to be the AD at Florida after only three years, turning the program over to his protégé, Mike Archer. Tigers had the opportunity make a hire at that time of a Heisman winner who would one day be known as the “Ole Ball Coach”, but for unknown reasons snubbed him for a second interview. In four years, Archer managed to go from “winning with Arnspager’s players” (sound familiar?) to perennial loser.

Crazy ‘bout Curley! Yep, that bumper sticker slogan was all the rage in BR, but not for long. At least the Tiger players would not be seen wearing earrings any longer. But that didn’t seem to help. The only thing crazy about this coach was the fact that we thought enough of him to take him from Southern Miss and keep him for four years!

Bring Back the Magic! OK, Gerry Dinardo had managed to bring Vanderbilt, yes Vanderbilt, to respectability. Or so it seemed. We were actually concerned at one point that his Alma Mater would come calling soon. (Remind you of someone else?). So, three years along we were rocking and rolling again. 10-2, 9-3 and three straight bowl games. And, yes, the Independence Bowl does count when you haven’t been bowling in six years. Despite all of the talent moving to Baton Rouge, he just could not make up for a commitment to a guy named Lou, Tepper that is. How can you put your faith in a DC who has a five year plan for players in a four year program (OK, redshirt would make it five). But the Tiger faithful weren’t patient enough and GD would soon be given his walking papers.

Nick Who? Michigan State? A’ight, not sure about this guy, but he does have a “process” and seems to be faithfully devoted to it. Moves the Tigers into unchartered territory. Uh oh, other coaching vacancies are available as any and all NFL vacancies come up. So NFL really does stand for Not For Long, who’d of thunk it, he’s now a gump. Thanks for the memories.

Where We Are!

The Hat! Fear the Hat, love the Hat, don’t care if the Hat leaves. Here we go again. The difference between the 1990’s and the 2000’s appears to be the reason for coaching changes. Now they leave because of success and not failure. I’ll trade that to the dreaded 1990’s any day. Could be worse, could be Alabama, could be Miami, or could be Notre Dame! Tigers are enjoying the golden age. Wow, our perspective sure has changed and what a difference it is when looking down from the top rather than up from the bottom. I’ll take it over the previous decade anytime.

Where We Are Going

1. Les Miles remains coach at LSU – Not a bad option to have. OK, we agonize over some decisions, play calls, game management and statements The Hat has made. But we can’t argue with his success and passion for what he does. Is it really bad when other teams hate your coach? Remember Spurrier in the FL days? No one outside of FL ever hated Ron Zook.

2. Les Miles leaves – Forget about Saban coming back. Doubtful for Spurrier at his age and if we did hire Spurrier, he’d retire in five years or so and there we go again. Hire and up-and-comer from smaller mid conference school. Steal a proven winner from a top program, but likely too expensive of a deal to manage. Promote from within or hire top DC/OC to be the next coach.

It is not all bad and a rather envious position to be in. Think about it!