LSU hopes new coaches bring offensive rhythm

LSU head coach Les Miles has signed plenty blue chip prospects in his day.

But his biggest recruits in the 2010 recruiting class might have come in the way of assistant coaches Billy Gonzales, Frank Wilson and Steve Ensminger – a trio that are expected to jump start the Tigers offense after a sub par 2009 season.

“It seems like every year we’ve had a couple new coaches, but I like the staff and I like the chemistry of the room,” said LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, the man managing the team’s new offensive minds. “We have experience in there … I like that chemistry. The chemistry is always important for the team and the coaching staff, and right now I feel real good chemistry. It makes me real excited for the season.”

Gonzales landed in Baton Rouge after serving as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida from 2005-09.

At LSU, the highly touted 39-year-old assistant coach will serve as LSU’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.

After a full spring and summer with Gonzales on the staff, Miles, Crowton and LSU’s players all say the Tigers are a better team, especially in the passing game.

“Billy is a very detailed young man that knows how to get a lot out of his players,” Crowton said. “He knows the passing game in and out, so the little detail things that he does I feel like will help us become a little bit sharper. I think our rhythm will be better, and the confidence level between the quarterback and the receiver will be a little bit stronger.”

Miles agreed with Crowton and said the thing he likes the most about Gonzales is his ability to utilize the strengths of each player on his offenses.

“His ideas in terms of game plan certainly are fruitful,” Miles said. “We are going to use them regularly and routinely, and I think you will find that our receivers will play better because of it.”

One of those players hoping for a breakout year is senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver, who said his new coach’s attention to detail is exactly what he needed as he prepares for his final collegiate season.

“It has benefited me a lot. He comes with a lot of intensity,” Toliver said. “He comes from a winning program, from Florida, too. He put a lot of guys in the league. He brings a lot of toughness and grit to our game.”

In addition to Gonzales, Wilson also has SEC roots, landing at LSU after having stints with Ole Miss (2005-07) and Tennessee (2009).

At Ole Miss, Wilson is one of the coaches credited with the progression of former Rebels halfback and current New England Patriot BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

With the Tigers, the Nicholls alum will serve as LSU’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.

He’s already excelled in both capacities, according to Crowton, as LSU’s halfbacks prepare for another strong season and the Tigers are favored to have one of the best recruiting classes in America in 2011.

“Being from New Orleans, he’s been around this league and he’s got some experience on some of the other programs,” Crowton said. “He knows a lot of the coordinators and some of the players around the league from being at Tennessee and Ole Miss. I think those things right there adds to the room.”

But on the recruiting trail is where Wilson may provide the biggest value to the Tigers.

The coach has already heavily recruited eight current LSU commitments like five-star prospect La’El Collins, four-star halfback Jeremy Hill and Tri-parish native and fellow four-star halfback Kenny Hilliard.

Also on Wilson’s radar is Thibodaux High School standout Greg Robinson, who said this summer the coach is one of many things he likes about LSU.

“Coach Wilson, he’s just cool, man,” Robinson said. “He’s real down to earth and would be a lot of fun to play for.”

Rounding out the additions to the staff is Ensminger, who has coached at the likes of Georgia, Texas A&M, Clemson and Auburn during his close to 30 years in the profession.

The LSU ties are also deeply rooted for the Baton Rouge native, as he served as the starting quarterback for the Tigers in the late 1970s as a player.

Back in Baton Rouge, Ensminger will be Miles’ tight ends coach, and will work with a group loaded with talent, led by DeAngelo Peterson and former E.D. White standout Chase Clement.

Crowton said the coach’s knowledge of the Louisiana area, as well as his experience with several programs will prove to be a huge asset for the Tigers.

“I’ve been very familiar with him. He’s very familiar with Louisiana and the recruiting area,” Crowton said. “I like what he brings to the room from that standpoint. He’s a good guy, fun guy, good to work with, very knowledgeable and voices his opinions. He works well with the rest of the staff and gets good conversations started.”

The need for a revamped offensive staff came after LSU ranked No. 112 out of 120 teams in total offense last season.

But with the new minds in place, Miles said he believes the right mix is in place to enable the Tigers to light up the scoreboard in 2010.

I like my team. I like my team’s attitude. I like us in every game. So [I] can’t wait,” Miles said.