BEHIND THE SCENES LSU COACHING NEWS

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

I've received strong news concerning coaching moves from my best two sources within the LSU program, and he & she have spelled it out plain and clear for me, and luckily they're allowing me to share:

The feeling among LSU's coaches or staffers (especially those around Orgeron such as Derek Ponamsky) tells us LSU won't be going on laborious searches for coaching talent through the NFL or various other channels, they'll be looking from within first.

I keep hearing two names, two which make complete sense and fit LSU's future on both sides of the ball, a duo of men who are trusted by the youngest players and relied upon by the most experienced upperclassmen....a pair who know how to win championships:

Offensively, I haven't heard anything regarding the future or potential retirement of coordinator Steve Ensminger (we've reached out to his son Jr for comment); however I cannot escape the naming of his successor, analyst Russ Callaway.

I was told Callaway was making his way up the ladder by multiple sources, chiefly an analyst assistant working closer to the offensive side of the ball:

"Inside the building, on the field, in the meetings, everyone loves Russ. He's got a Joe Brady aura, but he's a southerner at heart, too and all the players love him. He speaks with a soft intensity...when Linehan hid behind his sunglasses, Callaway did double duty, helping Ensminger in the booth and the quarterbacks on the sideline..."

"Coach O really likes Callaway, he's put so much trust in him... almost to the point of loving the guy....Coach O says he keeps 'forgetting' Callaway wasn't on the 2019 team....only a year into their working relationship, Coach O understands Russ' value. He wanted Callaway around him on the sidelines as a connector between himself and Ensminger / Linehan in the booth.

Regardless of Callaway's ascension to offensive coordinator, he's still being promoted this off-season.

We can confirm the Passing Game Coordinator role will be switched out for the third straight year, with Russ Callaway beyond tipped to take Scott Linehan's job.

It may be too early for Callaway to take the OC head set, but he's ready for prime time and should be made passing game coordinator.

"I don't think many players were excited by Linehan's contributions....at times, he made things difficult on himself...he outsmarted himself a lot. I don't think Ensminger and Linehan ever even became cordial...Scott is just an icey guy."

On defense, the big switch so many Tigers fans are hoping for may not happen....for all the wrong reasons.

"I don't think LSU can afford to buy out Bo's contract, and there's been no words exchanged about his ouster," I was told by our defensive source within LSU HQ.

"I personally don't see how LSU could buy him out if they couldn't afford to keep Robert Munson...but the way this defense played this year hurt these players more than any fan will ever know. There were guys making great plays or giving everything only to look bad because of a miscommunication on the field regarding assignments. You could see defenders vomiting after games from exhaustion, guys who were running themselves into the ground constantly because they were the only ones Bo felt he could trust."

His inability to trust youth until the final two games of the season cost us dearly:

Out of 10 games, only once did LSU hold opponents under 500 total yards, actually allowing Madden-esque stats vs 3 opponents for 600+ yards....

"I saw certain players crying after those losses to Auburn, Missouri, extremely heartbreaking to watch some of the social media rants against these young men on top of it, too. I don't really know how Damone Clark made it through..."

"Bo needed to become acquainted with his personnel, instead of merely assigning them positions and obsessing over the 4-3....he didn't get to know these kids as young men first...you could say Bo didn't give himself the opportunity to succeed, either."

There's a sentiment growing too that Bo could get a second chance for 2021...but since

LSU would have to supply $2.3 million to force Pelini out the door....and I'm told the #1 choice, and so far the only selection for his potentially vacated DC spot??

DBs Coach & recruiting colossus COREY RAYMOND.

"There's a lot of people at LSU who feel Raymond was cruelly passed over for the job after the title game."

Though he knows he's the second choice after Bo, Raymond holds all the cards and leverage in gaining a bigger contract than Pelini as well.

#1 LSU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE C-RAY

#2 THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PLAY DEFENSE LIKE 2020 AGAIN

If I was Corey, I'd stay at LSU...but for nothing short of the defensive keys to the Tigers' kingdom he's helped establish over the past 8 seasons at the helm of DBU INC.

"I know if Pelini stays Raymond will leave LSU," both sources backed up...

Coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward have some huge decisions to make in the coming months...

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

Copyright 2020 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC

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