re: Dave Aranda is the 2nd best coach in the SEC, head coaches included

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O should not have even been plan X, Y, or Z much less Plan C

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Ok good point, I'm out.

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Aranda is a better coach than Saban if you give them the same talent.

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I'd say Aranda's career path versus Saban's is eerily similar. Who was the better DC in their mid-late 30's? I'm not sure if Aranda is the motivator Saban is but I think his intelligence is above Saban's. We'd be foolish to ever let Aranda go elsewhere. We need to do to whatever it takes to keep him around for the long term.

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but he did have the luxury of having a ton of experienced talent in his first year. I think this year will speak to how great of a coach he is given the inexperience at LB and DB.

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That's true, but Aranda definitely had weaknesses to deal w/ last year that won't be as much an issue this year (installing a new defense w/ an entirely different scheme). In addition, we weren't really "loaded" at LB last year when Aranda started. Sure, we had Beckwith, but don't forget that Riley had been a career backup at LB until last year and Alexander hadn't contributed much; the others were incoming true freshman. In addition, all of the OLB's were entirely new to the position.

I really like Aranda and am expecting a LOT this year, but when you consider everything, he really did an amazing job last year.

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Why wasnt he hired as HC if they think so highly of him?

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Boom !!!

I'd like to actually hear him say he doesn't want to be a HC before I believe it.

Link that

From my understanding he doesn't have HC aspirations but does want to coach in the NFL at some point

Great thing is he is young

it was in an interview right after he signed the extension, can't remember which one

I'm replying to 3 people so adjust accordingly.

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I don't believe for a second that he doesn't have higher aspirations.

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Why? Lots people love their job and can view a higher position as a step away from what they love to do.
I don't want to be a manager. I don't like managing. and as long as I'm paid as well, I won't do it.
If my experience isn't suitable for an argument... maybe the fact that Saban left the NFL for the NCAA.
As long as the money is right.. I think he'll stay (although it will continue to keep me up nights).

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If the president and AD had any sense they would've offered the HC job to him before O.

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O had the relationship with the majority of high value target recruits.

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Are you suggesting O would have quit if someone on staff was given the job instead? I don't disagree. And that seems logical.. but he didn't exactly have competing offers so he very well could have been without a job. I'd be willing to bet that LSU would have made him a very highly paid DL coach if that had all transpired.. Much more than he would have received for a similar position at another school. so it's not so cut and dry.

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Why wasnt he hired as HC if they think so highly of him?

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Boom !!!

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Is this a sarcastic boom or are you saying that the administration actually had several candidates and they hired the one they thought most highly of? Who were the other candidates?!?! I need to know!

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I love Aranda and I definitely think he's one of the best coordinators around, but he did have the luxury of having a ton of experienced talent in his first year. I think this year will speak to how great of a coach he is given the inexperience at LB and DB. I expect to have some growing pains but I think this will be a top-notch unit by mid-season. Luckily the schedule sets up well for that.

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He spent a couple of seasons in Wisconsin with wayyy less talent

And we had some serious holes in the lineup last year, especially at linebacker and he developed some guys that have been here for a long time with no results and got the defense to an elite level