Coach O Preaches Fundamentals, No Plans for New Systems at LSU

Coach Ed Orgeron says LSU's new football staff is still getting settled in and focusing on the basics.

After going nearly a month without a defensive staff, the program recently hired defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, linebackers coach Blake Baker, defensive line coach Andre Carter, and general manager Austin Thomas in the last few weeks.

For Jones and offensive coordinator Jake Peetz — who are both young and relatable to the team — Orgeron said it's about fitting the scheme to the players and developing personal relationships.

"I think those guys bring us a lot of knowledge and are also willing to work," Orgeron said. "The thing I like about it is both of them are the first time being a coordinator. They're very hungry and eager to prove themselves."

With these diverse new hires on staff, Coach O will have more input with the way the defense is run in 2021.

He said he is looking forward to the edge rush the team is capable of producing with senior OLB Andre Anthony, junior LB Ali Gaye, and freshman OLB BJ Ojulari. 

"The 4-3 is better than the 3-4 because he was kind of a tweener in the 3-4, but now that we're in the 4-3, he's our starting right end right now, doing a great job," Orgeron said of the senior Anthony. "We were gonna play our ends a little looser this year. You can expect to have a better pass rush then we had last year, and Anthony's gonna lead that charge."

Orgeron said he appreciates the pace and the ability to get "the basic fundamentals down right now to make sure that we're doing it right."