The search for a special teams coach is under way at LSU with spring practice set to begin March 11, but coach Les Miles said no decision has been made yet.
Former special teams coach Joe Robinson resigned to become defensive line coach at North Carolina. Miles said he will not make a hurried decision on Robinson’s replacement.
“We would prefer if we could have him for [March 11], but not necessarily,” Miles said Thursday at his first news conference of the spring. “We want to get the right guy. We’ll take our time with the decision. We don’t expect to take a sidestep in special teams. We expect to get better.”
Miles said sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last October against Tennessee, might be back sooner than expected.
“[Montgomery] may play this spring. He’s run every coaching workout and finally completed a whole one,” Miles said. “We’ll go slow, but again, he’s way ahead.”
Miles said senior safety Brandon Taylor will take a little longer to return to action. Taylor suffered a leg injury against Alabama and missed the rest of the season.
“[Taylor’s] prognosis is very good. We’re not ready to rule him out of spring,” Miles said. “But we will moderate his progress and let him come slowly.”
  Blog: Les Miles previews spring practice
 
On the offensive side, Miles said three quarterbacks will be in contention for the starting job — seniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee and junior college transfer Zach Mettenberger.
“Jefferson is in the best shape I’ve seen him in,” Miles said. “I don’t know that we’ll be in a two-quarterback system. … The competition will be a fair one.”
Miles said he predicts Mettenberger to adjust to the offense quickly when spring practice begins.
“We expect him to be a fast learner,” Miles said. “He’s been received really well. … Our guys who have thrown it with him really enjoy catching his balls.”
In the meantime, senior safety Karnell Hatcher will likely switch to linebacker, similar to Harry Coleman’s change from safety to linebacker during his senior season in 2009.
“Hatcher may well be that guy,” Miles said. “He’s got some quickness and ability there that are significant.”
Another notable change could be at left tackle, which was left vacant with the departure of Joseph Barksdale. Miles said junior Alex Hurst and sophomore Chris Faulk will battle for the spot. Faulk started for Hurst when he was injured in the final two games of the regular season.
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