Kragthorpe to LSU OC

[UofDuck]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6041378

[duck55]

He has a Masters in "Football" from BC

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/sho ... p?t=132602

[woundedknees]

Steve's Dad, Dave, was sooooo effective while at OSU...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Kragthorpe

"In 1985, Kragthorpe was named the head coach at Oregon State. His career at OSU was a rocky one. He implemented a very pass oriented offense, penned the "Air Express" in Corvallis. This offense did not co-relate to wins in the Pac-10. He did not have a winning season in his six seasons with Oregon State. He managed an overall record of 17-48-2. In recognition of how difficult the Oregon State job was perceived to be in those days, Kragthorpe actually won PAC 10 coach of the year honors one season, despite having a losing record that year with the Beavers"

[TheMaehlMan]

I remember Kragthorpe was a fail at Louisville, but I think that it had more to do with terrible defenses than offenses. Although, Brian Brohm did take a precipitous fall once Petrino left and Kragthorpe came in, and I think Jordan Jefferson is probably not as talented as Brohm. It's tough to transition to a new offensive coordinator, we found that out after Tedford left, we just got lucky to snag Chip Kelly.

[woundedknees]

Oregon down-graded at OC from Tedford to Dudwig, but the next 2 coordinators were definite upgrades from their predecessor... Crowton began the transition to a spread style offense, and most Duck fans will agree that Chip Kelly is the Granddaddy of all upgrades.

I doubt Kragthorpe is in Kelly's class, but with the athletes available to LSU, I expect the Tigers to become very successful as the season progresses. I expect there to be a transition period to adjust to the new offensive style, and this should benefit Oregon.

[greenyellow]

Oregon down-graded at OC from Tedford to Dudwig, but the next 2 coordinators were definite upgrades from their predecessor... Crowton began the transition to a spread style offense, and most Duck fans will agree that Chip Kelly is the Granddaddy of all upgrades.

I doubt Kragthorpe is in Kelly's class, but with the athletes available to LSU, I expect the Tigers to become very successful as the season progresses. I expect there to be a transition period to adjust to the new offensive style, and this should benefit Oregon.

LSU's defense will keep them in games until their offense clicks. Jefferson just hasn't progressed enough to be a clear-cut starter at LSU. I could see the JC transfer they got pushing him, which is kind of sad for a 4th year SR.

[TheMaehlMan]

LSU's defense will keep them in games until their offense clicks. Jefferson just hasn't progressed enough to be a clear-cut starter at LSU. I could see the JC transfer they got pushing him, which is kind of sad for a 4th year SR.

I'll be honest, I don't know a ton about LSU, but I was wondering how come everyone assumes their defense will come in firing on all cylinders. They are losing Patrick Peterson and Drake Nevis, is that like all they are losing? Their recruiting classes are always stacked with premier defensive talent, so I'm assuming that is why everyone expects another great LSU defense, but I'd like to know more about their returning guys.

[duck55]

LSU's defense will keep them in games until their offense clicks. Jefferson just hasn't progressed enough to be a clear-cut starter at LSU. I could see the JC transfer they got pushing him, which is kind of sad for a 4th year SR.

I'll be honest, I don't know a ton about LSU, but I was wondering how come everyone assumes their defense will come in firing on all cylinders. They are losing Patrick Peterson and Drake Nevis, is that like all they are losing? Their recruiting classes are always stacked with premier defensive talent, so I'm assuming that is why everyone expects another great LSU defense, but I'd like to know more about their returning guys.

I was wondering the same thing. Isn't this LSU D about the same as the one that tried to lose to Tennessee last year?

[UofDuck]

And honestly, those two (Nevis and Peterson) were far and away their best d-players. I believe that Kelvin Sheppard, one of their captains and LB is also gone - although he seemed pretty slow to me.

I think we will have to play very well to beat them at their "home", but I think it is completely doable.

[woundedknees]

Go Ducks... Beat the Beavers (Record against LSU)!

[OreDucks01284]

And honestly, those two (Nevis and Peterson) were far and away their best d-players. I believe that Kelvin Sheppard, one of their captains and LB is also gone - although he seemed pretty slow to me.

I think we will have to play very well to beat them at their "home", but I think it is completely doable.

they also lost RB Stevan Ridley

his 2010 season stats - http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/pr ... rId=232428

[TheMaehlMan]

And honestly, those two (Nevis and Peterson) were far and away their best d-players. I believe that Kelvin Sheppard, one of their captains and LB is also gone - although he seemed pretty slow to me.

I think we will have to play very well to beat them at their "home", but I think it is completely doable.

Peterson is a sure-fire top 10 pick and Nevis could be a 1st rounder, that sounds like a lot to lose. And whenever you lose a captain that is tough as well. I'm sure LSU will have a really good defense, but I don't think we are walking into Jerry World to get completely overmatched(not that anyone said that), so it should be a great game.

[Elduderino]

I think it will be quite a challenge for us and our retooled fronts. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Mettenberger start at QB for them; and be good.

[parrotdr]

LSU fan here...first post (hopefully of many in a long, fulfilling relationship to come in the next 7 months!).

You guys seem to have a pretty good handle on the Tigers for next year, and Maehlman, you're wrong about one thing--you DO seem to know a bit about LSU.

General LSU fan thoughts correspond to what you all have been saying:
--Nevis, Peterson, and Shepperd are big losses--two first rounders and the D captain. LSU does seem to reload on defense most years, though, and our freshman this year, particularly at cornerback, are amazing. Linebacker is the biggest need on defense, so Oregon's short passing game success against LSU should be interesting.

--Yes, our QB Jefferson has sucked more than not over the last two years. After showing some promise at the end of his freshman year, he has been maybe the most inconsistent starting QB at a big school anywhere. Yes, he threw 3 TD's in the Cotton Bowl, but only had 6 ALL YEAR before that! He threw more INT's. I'm sure Les will play him for the experience factor and the threat of a running QB, but down here in LA we're all hoping Mettenberger gets on the field and fulfills his promise.

--You Duck fans know a lot more about Kragthorpe than we do--I think, or hope, he's one of those guys who is a great OC but not necessarily a great head coach--kinda like Charlie Weiss. We thought the same about Gary Crowton a few years ago, but he wore out his welcome by producing a couple of consistently bad offensive showings the last two years. How can a team that finishes with 9 and 11 wins have a offensive ranking down near 100?

If LSU even had an AVERAGE passing game, they, not Auburn, would have played Oregon for all the marbles this past year.

Looking forward to that game in Dallas!

[maxduck]

From Chris Low of ESPN

From my vantage point, LSU was a passing game away from being a part of the national championship equation this season....

LSU coach Les Miles knew he had to do something to spruce up the passing game, and in particular, to generate better play from the quarterback position. The Tigers finished with 10 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions this season.

In hiring former Tulsa and Louisville head coach Steve Kragthorpe to be the Tigers' offensive coordinator next season, Miles is confident the passing game will improve in 2011.

But, then, it has to if the Tigers are going to capitalize on all of their returning talent and make a run at the national title.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/1 ... -clear-cut