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An in-depth look at our entire defensive staff
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:09 am
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:09 am
As much as House is taking a ton of flak for the scheme and lack of adjustments, and deservedly so, let’s look at the guys who are surrounding him and their recent histories:
Robert Steeples
-De Smet Jesuit High School (2016–2020)
Head coach
-Minnesota Vikings (2021)
Assistant special teams coach
Kerry Cooks
-Oklahoma (2015–2016)
Defensive Backs
-Oklahoma (2017–2018)
Assistant defensive coordinator / Safeties
-Texas Tech (2019)
Safeties
-Notre Dame (2020–2021)
Defensive Assistant
Bob Diaco
-Oklahoma (2018)
Defensive Line
-Louisiana Tech (2019)
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
-Purdue (2020)
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
-New Jersey Generals (2021)
Defensive Line
John Jancek
-Georgia (2020-2021)
Defensive Quality Control
-LSU (2022)
Analyst
So to sum it up:
-We’ve got 3 guys who’ve either never coached the position they’re coaching, or haven’t coached the position in their last 3+ stops. Steeples is basically a random high school coach, Diaco is a journeyman who was on the tail end of his coaching career before Kelly hired him, and Jancek hasn’t been an on-field coach in 4+ years and was on his way out as well. And it sucks that Jimmy Lindsey is sick, but he was a horrid, disappointing hire as well.
-The remaining guy is Kerry Cooks, who we “stole” from Oklahoma and Texas Tech who had some of the biggest laughingstock pass defenses I’ve ever seen and wasn’t viewed as a good coach or recruiter.
-
The scheme is terrible but our guys flat out don’t look like they’ve been coached to play their positions. What exactly are we doing hiring a $10MM/year head coach and a $2MM/year DC and surrounding them with bargain bin guys who can’t even teach the basics or recruit?
This is probably my biggest concern with Kelly as of right now. He made a great hire in Jamar Cain in year 1 and he’s otherwise completely shite the bed and put zero effort into his position coach hires.
Robert Steeples
-De Smet Jesuit High School (2016–2020)
Head coach
-Minnesota Vikings (2021)
Assistant special teams coach
Kerry Cooks
-Oklahoma (2015–2016)
Defensive Backs
-Oklahoma (2017–2018)
Assistant defensive coordinator / Safeties
-Texas Tech (2019)
Safeties
-Notre Dame (2020–2021)
Defensive Assistant
Bob Diaco
-Oklahoma (2018)
Defensive Line
-Louisiana Tech (2019)
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
-Purdue (2020)
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
-New Jersey Generals (2021)
Defensive Line
John Jancek
-Georgia (2020-2021)
Defensive Quality Control
-LSU (2022)
Analyst
So to sum it up:
-We’ve got 3 guys who’ve either never coached the position they’re coaching, or haven’t coached the position in their last 3+ stops. Steeples is basically a random high school coach, Diaco is a journeyman who was on the tail end of his coaching career before Kelly hired him, and Jancek hasn’t been an on-field coach in 4+ years and was on his way out as well. And it sucks that Jimmy Lindsey is sick, but he was a horrid, disappointing hire as well.
-The remaining guy is Kerry Cooks, who we “stole” from Oklahoma and Texas Tech who had some of the biggest laughingstock pass defenses I’ve ever seen and wasn’t viewed as a good coach or recruiter.
-
The scheme is terrible but our guys flat out don’t look like they’ve been coached to play their positions. What exactly are we doing hiring a $10MM/year head coach and a $2MM/year DC and surrounding them with bargain bin guys who can’t even teach the basics or recruit?
This is probably my biggest concern with Kelly as of right now. He made a great hire in Jamar Cain in year 1 and he’s otherwise completely shite the bed and put zero effort into his position coach hires.
16
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:10 am to Forever
Great post, sad post tbh.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:13 am to Forever
quote:
-The remaining guy is Kerry Cooks, who we “stole” from Oklahoma and Texas Tech who had some of the biggest laughingstock pass defenses I’ve ever seen and wasn’t viewed as a good coach or recruiter.
Many said from the get go that Cooks was a terrible hire.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:14 am to The Mick
Holy Moly and WOW is all I gotta say! This looks really really bad when you look close.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:16 am to Forever
quote:
-The remaining guy is Kerry Cooks, who we “stole” from Oklahoma and Texas Tech
This is the #1 problem.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:21 am to fastlane
Yep. I was trying to keep the post as reasonably short as I could with that much info, but there’s such a huge contrast between the offensive and defensive staffs. Hankton, Davis, Wilson, Sloan, and Denbrock all come across as highly competent and pretty likable, and the defensive staff is the opposite with Cooks being the most glaring example.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:21 am to Forever
Can you do this post for the offense as well? I think you might really be onto something.
Our OL (Davis) and RBs (Wilson) I know are coached by guys who KNOW the position. I don't know anything about Sloan (QB) and Hankton (Wrs) but those spots are absolutley balling as well.
Our OL (Davis) and RBs (Wilson) I know are coached by guys who KNOW the position. I don't know anything about Sloan (QB) and Hankton (Wrs) but those spots are absolutley balling as well.
This post was edited on 10/2/23 at 9:31 am
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:26 am to mwade91383
I can do a summary:
Brad Davis- longtime Arkansas OL coach who came from a great and respected coaching tree
Frank Wilson- longtime LSU RB coach, speaks for himself
Hankton- took from UGA
Sloan- LA Tech QB’s coach but was highly respected there
Offensive staff is made up of 3 guys who were big time SEC guys and 1 guy who’s just an extremely good coach. It’s amazing what happens when you put SEC caliber coaches in charge of an SEC unit, and a bunch of non-SEC coaches on the same team on the other side of the ball
Brad Davis- longtime Arkansas OL coach who came from a great and respected coaching tree
Frank Wilson- longtime LSU RB coach, speaks for himself
Hankton- took from UGA
Sloan- LA Tech QB’s coach but was highly respected there
Offensive staff is made up of 3 guys who were big time SEC guys and 1 guy who’s just an extremely good coach. It’s amazing what happens when you put SEC caliber coaches in charge of an SEC unit, and a bunch of non-SEC coaches on the same team on the other side of the ball
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:26 am to Forever
Yeah it is pretty clear that Kelly made fatal flaws in hiring his defensive staff
I think he gave House autonomy over that, which is the executive move - give your guys their own rope to either reel in studs, or hang themselves with it.
It will be addressed in the offseason. The question is, can LSU handle essentially starting back at square 1 in building up that side of the ball to championship level?
I think he gave House autonomy over that, which is the executive move - give your guys their own rope to either reel in studs, or hang themselves with it.
It will be addressed in the offseason. The question is, can LSU handle essentially starting back at square 1 in building up that side of the ball to championship level?
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:27 am to ProjectP2294
quote:
Many said from the get go that Cooks was a terrible hire.
I got flamed for pointing this out.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:29 am to Forever
Unimpressive resumes. Looks like they were hired because Kelly couldn’t get his first choices.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:32 am to LSUminati
Given we are at the litte things that really helps me understand where some of the fault lies, and I think you're right, it's quality position coaches.
Don't get me wrong, House is still largely responsible but lets spread it out to the other coaches as well.
Don't get me wrong, House is still largely responsible but lets spread it out to the other coaches as well.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:34 am to LSUminati
House was also a really good DC at Kentucky and for streches last season.
As bad as he's been, you could make the case for upgrading defensive position coaches and retaining House. The continunity (scheme/calls/terminology) is worth considering.
As bad as he's been, you could make the case for upgrading defensive position coaches and retaining House. The continunity (scheme/calls/terminology) is worth considering.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:35 am to mwade91383
Hahaha and now evaluate their recruiting abilities hahahaha
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:41 am to Forever
I don't know how to feel about Kelly's staff hires.
Last year I would've said he hired Denbrock solely because they had worked together in the past. But I thought it was a bad hire - which I'm clearly eating my words now.
I liked House last year. Not just the results, but he seemed like a smart guy who meshed with his players well. I have no fricking clue what's going on there.
As far as the staff goes beyond the big 3, I think we need to pepper in some guys that are younger and can relate to recruits better than a 60+ year old irish man.
Last year I would've said he hired Denbrock solely because they had worked together in the past. But I thought it was a bad hire - which I'm clearly eating my words now.
I liked House last year. Not just the results, but he seemed like a smart guy who meshed with his players well. I have no fricking clue what's going on there.
As far as the staff goes beyond the big 3, I think we need to pepper in some guys that are younger and can relate to recruits better than a 60+ year old irish man.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 9:43 am to mwade91383
I don't know if you can retain him given the stain this season will have on him. Once you open that box, it's difficult going forward because doubt will creep in at every adverse spot. That'll be tough when you need player buy in. Not to mention we simply aren't recruiting at the level needed on that side.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 10:02 am to Forever
Orgeron made it look so easy. If a Shrimp Boat Captain can do it anyone can do it.
They don't need a resume of accomplishments. We have multi-million dollar HC.
Kelly was embarrassed by a HC that has been a failure at almost every job he has held. SC, Raiders, Tennessee.
They don't need a resume of accomplishments. We have multi-million dollar HC.
Kelly was embarrassed by a HC that has been a failure at almost every job he has held. SC, Raiders, Tennessee.
Posted on 10/2/23 at 10:33 am to ProjectP2294
quote:
Many said from the get go that Cooks was a terrible hire.
He is also a sub par recruiter as well, especially at a position that should be an elite recruiter
Posted on 10/2/23 at 10:35 am to Forever
Thanks for posting this. Real eye opener when I see defensive coaches from OU. That is a problem. Does anybody remember the pitiful defenses of Oklahoma under Stoops. Especially the secondary. Their DL was always pretty decent but the secondary and zone coverage were terrible.
These are problems.
Kerry Cooks
-Oklahoma (2015–2016)
Defensive Backs
-Oklahoma (2017–2018)
Assistant defensive coordinator / Safeties
-Texas Tech (2019)
Safeties
These are problems.
Kerry Cooks
-Oklahoma (2015–2016)
Defensive Backs
-Oklahoma (2017–2018)
Assistant defensive coordinator / Safeties
-Texas Tech (2019)
Safeties
This post was edited on 10/2/23 at 10:35 am
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