Ed Orgeron didn’t expect Matt Canada to be so intense.
The new offensive coordinator had his first opportunity to install the Tigers new look offense on Saturday’s opening spring practice.
“I thought there was going to be a change,” Orgeron said about Canada. “I had no idea he was going to coach on the field like that. He’s an excellent on the field coach.”
Orgeron said Canada brought energy to the offense, with his quick and fast-paced drills. The 45-year-old coach plans to use spring as an opportunity to install “increments” of his offense, Orgeron said.
Despite Saturday marking the first day of spring ball, Orgeron said he didn’t think the Tigers looked like they were going through their first practice.
Along with taking a different approach on offense, LSU is also changing its special teams. The Tigers will likely go into the fall without a special teams coordinator, which isn’t unusual to Orgeron.
When the 55-year-old coach was at USC, Pete Carroll divided up the special teams duties among the assistant coaches.
At LSU running backs coach Tommie Robinson will handle the punt team, defensive backs coach Corey Raymond will handle punt returns.
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes will work with the field goal team, outside linebackers coach Dennis Johnson is in control of the field goal block and kick off squad, and wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph is in charge of kickoff return.
The Tigers also have special teams analyst, Greg McMahon, who will help the coaches with strategy and reviewing film. McMahon is not allowed to coach on the field, but is allowed to watch practice and give reports to the coaching staff.
“We did it with Pete Carroll,” Orgeron said. “I was actually the special teams coordinator and we did exactly like this and we won two championships.”
The Tigers offensive line will also be different this season.
LSU has to replace two starters from last season’s offensive line, and the Tigers are without two lineman for the spring.
Junior offensive lineman Toby Weathersby and Will Clapp are out for the entire spring. Clapp will be expected to be LSU’s starting center in the fall, Orgeron said, and Weathersby is the starting right tackle.
Currently, redshirt freshman Lloyd Cushenberry and junior Will Clapp are the only centers on LSU’s roster and redshirt freshman Jakori Savage has been taking reps in Weatherby’s place.
“Guys like Jakori Savage are getting tested,” Orgeron said. “I think [Savage] is going to be in a backup role when [Weathersby] gets back. It’s all up to Jeff when he’s ready to play.”
Notes
-Fullbacks practiced mainly with tight ends, Orgeron said that they are transitioning to more of an H-back role, in Canada’s new offense.
-Sophomore Michael Divinity will move to middle backer during spring, because of the Tigers lack of depth at the position. Orgeron wants to see how he does in the spring. Senior linebacker Devin Voorhies has also moved from inside to outside linebacker.
-Senior Ed Paris has been moved to safety, and Orgeron said he is in contention for a starting spot.
