LSU Tigers

Why Art Briles Makes Perfect Sense For LSU

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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From Nick Saban all the way down to unknown coaches at smaller schools, we have heard countless names mentioned by fans and media for the now empty LSU head coaching position.

Many are names you’d expect to hear, but the one that seems to have the most intrigue and controversy is former Baylor coach Art Briles.

The hesitation from all parties to consider Briles for the job is obvious and justified. He was let go from his position at Baylor after a massive scandal that involved his players sexually assaulting women and he himself knowing and allowing the culture to develop.

But, Art Briles is still one of the elite coaches in college football, and whether people like it or not, he will be considered for the job at LSU. Les Miles is arguably the top coach in program history, and they need to replace him with a proven, consistent winner. Briles is exactly that.

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In his eight-year tenure with the Bears, Briles led Baylor to a 65-37 overall record, posting four double-digit win seasons. The team has been in position to contend for both conference and national championships during his career, and he took Baylor to six bowl games.

The thing is, his great career success is not even his biggest asset when it comes to competing for the job at LSU. What will likely intrigue the Tigers most about Briles is his offensive mind and consistent success on that side of the ball. Whenever people discuss great offensive coaches at the college level, his name is included.

Given the lack of development, innovation, and production from the LSU offense for years now, it makes sense that a guy like Art Briles is being considered as the next head coach. Les Miles was a defensive minded guy, and the offense suffered greatly because of it. The Tigers need to go in the opposite direction, and Briles would be just that.

He has a fantastic record of developing star players at the quarterback position. Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty both tore apart nearly every defense they faced at Baylor, and that’s just to name a couple. It seemed that every time Briles lost his highly productive quarterback, he developed another guy to step in and pick up right where his predecessor left off. LSU has struggled for going on a decade to field a competent quarterback, and Briles could, at a minimum, do that.

If we’re being honest, the chances probably aren’t great that Art Briles roams the sidelines at LSU next season. In fact, the odds that he gets a job at all are pretty slim. The industry is one that is quick to give out second chances if you are good at what you do, but it usually takes time, and the Baylor controversy is just too fresh. Briles, as a coach, would be a great fit at LSU, and while I personally would love to see it happen, I just can’t see the school wanting to deal with all of the drama that would come with it.