Key play calls – Les vs. other top coaches

Long time reader, first time ranter. Have enjoyed TD for quite awhile – it reminds me daily that Tigers fans are the best in the world. Stoked to finally toss my hat into the Ranter ring.

My question is simply this: if you look across the spectrum of top coaches in NCAAF (ie C. Kelly, B. Kelly, C. Peterson, G. Paterson, Saban, J. Fisher, etc.), do any have the same number of questionable calls and coaching maneuvers that Les seems to face after practically every big game? I ask that sincerely – not as a rhetorical question. I honestly don’t watch every play of every other big game, nor do I monitor the sentiments of their fans after those big games. And if you put other metrics and stats aside (ie win/loss records, championships, history at the university, etc.), how much and when does this coaching characteristic become a liability?

My personal take? I’m guessing very few of those elite coaches cause their fan bases to question the play calls and decisions as much as Les causes LSU fans to question his. I’m guessing he’s alone in that regard. But until his wins dip below 10, and until his team no longer contends for an SEC and BCS title thru early November, the liability associated with those questionable calls will continue to be outweighed by the success he somehow seems to conjure. And taken on the whole, I’m guessing that practically every team in the country would accept this level of success, while also having to stomach their coach's liabilities. Hell, many of NCAAF's historical elites would likely beg for it right about now.

I’m not a Les apologist, nor am I Les hater. I’d like to think I’m a new Ranter, with a relatively balanced outlook on the matter. A ranter who happens to love the Tigers, love the Frogs (I’ll save that one for a future post), and loves his wins. And right now, I sincerely believe we have many more wins to look forward to. With the Mad Hatter still at the helm.

Geaux Tigers, and Geaux Frogs!