re: Hot take: Daronte was a very good hire by O

I mean, he was okay, and the defense in the beginning of the season required every level to be playing its A-game to be effective.

LSU led the country in sacks for the first 3-4 weeks of the season predominantly rushing 4. The problem at that point was that the overaggressive nature got slaughtered by run plays with the DL losing their gap responsibilities.

As the injuries piled up, it got worse because you lost that pass rush efficacy with the front 4. LBers were out of position, and DBs (particularly the safeties) looked lost most of the time.

In the end, they adjusted to blitzing and the 3-4 set up more and it worked. They weren't so predictable and the talent started to develop with experience. That is why it got better.

That doesn't mean Jones deserves to be retained. He could eventually become a good DC, but unless he's willing to learn it as a position coach with some more responsibility, then he isn't needed at LSU.

Reality was if you were going to go the route of hiring a guy with limited experience, O should have just made Raymond DC or co-DC.