How Did We Get Here!

[LSUDad]

 

[LSUDad]

Remember this journey! 
 

 

[LSUDad]

 

[LSUDad]

 

[LSUDad]

Looking back!!!

 

 

[LSUDad]

Coming up on a year since the hire. Was he the best hire? 
 

 

[LSUDad]

 

[Herb]

Isn't it interesting that this year Brian Kelly has LSU in the exact same spot he had Notre Dame last year when we hired him away?  Recall that Kelly received a lot of negative press for "going for the money" and "abandoning his team" when ND was the 5th ranked team in the playoff rankings at the end of the season.

 

[Hatchertiger]

13 minutes ago, Herb said:

   Recall that Kelly received a lot of negative press 

Got the same treatment when he left Cincy.

[houtiger]

Just an observation.  I don't recall anyone on the football team being arrested this year.  Kelly mentioned in this weeks press conference that about the transfer portal, you need to be sure what you are getting.  He said they looked at all the kids and wanted players with high character and a connection to Louisiana.  He mentioned Greg Brooks as a guy who came in and could lead in the locker room.  On leadership, he said he does not look for 3 or 4 guys to do all the leading.  He mentioned Wingo the DT is a soph. transfer from Mizzou, and he provided leadership.  Kelly said everyone should have an opportunity to lead.  He has leaders at every level, frosh, soph, jr. and sr.  Kelly seems very enlightened, he is not trapped by "the way we always did it".

They asked him about not having too many serious injuries.  He said it comes from 12 months of prep.  You don't take Jan. Feb. and March off, and you don't over train then either.  He is a believer is sports science, nutrition, and the strength and conditioning program.

[LSUDad]

We got here with hard work by Kelly and his staff. Remember, Kelly had to build from the ground up. The most depleted roster I’ve ever seen at LSU. 

As we are getting down to the end of the season, Kelly will fine tune the roster. I said this will be his worst roster at LSU. Who wouldn’t want to play here. Kelly took 4 True Freshmen, got them playing at the top of their game. He knows talent, he knows how to develop talent. 

I thought we would win big time last night, I was off way too much. 
 

What showed last night, our lack of depth, they ran the ball straight at us. When this happens an entire game, it  wears on your defense. Smith being lost for the year, hurt in these later games. 
 

From what I gather, we ended up with around 75 scholarship players, 10 less than the limit. 
 

Kelly wants guys that will give him 3,4 and 5 years, in his system. The portal helped this year, but high school kids help for years to come. We have a number freshmen coming in this class, some will be in for the Spring. The Spring allows coaches time, to see who can help right away. Perkins and Emery Jones didn’t have a Spring. But it didn’t take long to see, they can help. 
 

Brian Polian was brought in for Special teams and Recruiting Coordinator, but he was more involved in the overhaul of the roster. There will continue to overhaul .
 

Some players from other teams are starting to hit the portal. aTm’s season is over, word out, a few of their players have hit the portal. That was a big win last night, if aTm had played that way in a number of games, what would their record have been. I’ve watch a few games this year. Jimbo had them up last night, but far from it most of the season. They will still have movement from their roster and staff. 

We could have the entire OL return next season, we will start building depth. Last night Dellinger came in at times, but you need a good 8-9 OL to be about to play. We had little to no rotation on the DL. Same with LB and DB’s. 
 

We still have two games left, far from what I thought Kelly could do in his first year

[houtiger]

That is a good perspective!  Thanks!

[LSUDad]

Brian Kelly proved he belongs at LSU over his first season

By Matt Levine | November 29, 2022 5:40 am ET

Coming into this current season, the LSU Tigers football team had expectations of course but there were few and far between that believed they could compete for the SEC conference. Fast forward to now, a few days away from the SEC championship game and the Tigers are representing the SEC West.

With new head coach Brian Kelly in the mix, the Tigers were expected to compete but the growth that the program has taken under Kelly has been incredible. With wins at Florida, at Arkansas, and two home wins against Ole Miss and Alabama, the season has been a major success.

LSU stumbled this past weekend against a poor Texas A&M team on the road, all but costing them their low chances at reaching the College Football Playoff. However, this season has gone better than anyone in Baton Rouge could have expected.

The team progressed throughout the year after a season opening loss to Florida State. They came together as a team and became a force in the loaded SEC. Even behind inconsistent quarterback play at times, the Tigers found ways to win games.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels came over to Baton Rouge from Arizona State and solidified himself as the starter early on. He was shaky at times but for a guy who came over from the Pac-12, he adjusted to the toughness of the SEC pretty quickly. On the year, Daniels has thrown for 2566 yards and 15 touchdowns with only two interceptions.

But it’s on the ground that Daniels made his presence known. After a full season, Daniels rushed for 824 yards and 11 scores. He averaged 4.7 yards per rush and made life extrmemely tough for opposing defenses.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers have been impressive. Led by freshman Harold Perkins, the LSU defense has given teams fits all year long. Perkins has posted 59 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one interception during his first season in college. He has made a name for himself and is on track to be the next great defensive player at LSU.
 

As the team enters the SEC championship game against the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs, a win would be impressive. Georgia has been the best team all season long and if LSU could win the SEC during Brian Kelly’s first year as head coach, it could go a long way. Even a loss to Georgia, the fact that this team has a chance to play for the SEC crown is impressive. Many people picked them to finish last in the SEC West and they are far from that prediction.

The first year under Kelly’s leadership has laid the path forward for this team. They are a clear force in the SEC and with his own recruitments coming in the next few years, watch out for the Tigers.

[Hatchertiger]

LSU's football future is so bright ...

[Hatchertiger]

 

[LSUDad]

A year ago yesterday, Kelly was hired. A year ago today, his first press conference.