Letter to Coach O: Dear Coach Orgeron,

I come to you as a man, a coach, and an ex-player. Do you truly want to be a good coach head coach or is having the title of head coach and the spotlight that comes with it enough? If your answer is yes to the first question, then read on. If your answer is yes to the second question, then stop reading and continue as you were.

As I look at the LSU football team, I see a wealth of talent. I also see holes that need fixing immediately. You were hired into your dream job to coach the LSU football team. However, at times I don’t think you really believe you are the coach and try to impose your authority on the people around you to remind them you are the head coach. As the head coach first and foremost you must recognize your strengths and weaknesses, this will require humility. Once you recognize these traits then you can begin to address areas of concern and surround yourself with the best possible candidates to help you in attaining your goal of being a good head coach. I give you credit, you kept one of the best defensive coordinators in the country on staff. Good move. Next, you brought in a few reputable coaches to help you navigate this team to a high level of competitiveness. Unfortunately, in my opinion, you missed on one of the most glaring weaknesses of this team over the past few years. I don’t think, wait, I know you didn’t bring in the most qualified candidate available to you to help in quarterback development and offensive production. With that in mind you have to live with it now because you fired your last offensive coordinator after less than one year on the job. Find a qualified young mind that can help your offensive coordinator develop a high power offense. This will be hard, if your offensive coordinator is not open to help. You have the weapons. Utilize all of them.

Here are few suggestions. Btw, I coached for 21 (head coach for 18) years so I can understand some of what you are thinking. First, recognize that most good football coaches are good managers (there are great football coaches who just excel at many phases of coaching). You don’t have to call one play or make one substitution, you just need to manage the team, the coaches and the game. If your staff and players are as good as you thought they were, they will afford you the benefit to reap the rewards of their strategic planning and play. If they are not performing then address it but please let the coaches coach and players play. Surround yourself with good to great assistants and you will look like a genius. Second, you are not there to make friends. You are there to win. Winning solves almost every problem a program can have. Lastly, you know the game of football and I know you want your offense fixed but this has to be fixed in multiple ways. LSU does not look to be as physical in the trenches as the powers of the conferences. Fix it (starts in the weight room). LSU receivers drop too many balls and do not create separation when running routes. Fix it (change the route tree, remind receivers to get open first and catch with their eyes). QB play is not where it should be to compete at a high level. Fix it (create your offensive game plan around your QB and line, if you know the line is weak, roll the QB out or have him step into the pocket more, develop quicker routes). Put the ball in the hand of your playmakers as fast as you can. Fix it (too much to type, see Boise State or Houston offense. Once your team is in control of the game then allow your offensive coordinator to mix in the slow tempo). The game today is faster than it was years ago. As humans it is difficult at times to accept change, however, in order to be successful we must evolve. There are many young fresh minds out there that can make you look like a genius. Find them and use them, if not you only have yourself to blame. Most importantly, humble yourself, swallow your pride, and become a great manager. Most of us receive only one shot at our dream. This is your second. Now go out and become a good head coach.