re: What’s the feeling on the net effect of all of the defensive hires?

More than anything, there seemed to be a COMPLETE disconnect between the coaches and players on defense last year. Either the players weren't absorbing the coaching and/or didn't trust the staff. Or, whatever the staff was teaching them simply wasn't getting through. It's been quite a while since we've seen an LSU defense so completely lost.

That being the case, I think the first quality O looked for were guys who could earn the trust of the players and make sure the players understood what they are being asked to do. Simply knowing their assignments would have made a HUGE difference last year.

IMO, NOTHING about the new hires are terribly exciting or give a ton of confidence on face value. But it is unfair to say the hires are "terrible" before the new staff even coaches a game.