With the coaching staff LSU assembled for its 2003 national championship run, it’s no wonder the Tigers had the success they did.
Led by current Alabama coach Nick Saban, the rest of the coaching staff was littered with future stars, including former LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who is now Florida State’s head coach, and former LSU running backs coach Derek Dooley, who is now head coach at Tennessee.
But the staple of the 2003 Tigers was the ferocious defense, headed by Florida coach Will Muschamp, who will make his first trip back to Tiger Stadium since 2007 as Auburn’s defensive coordinator.
His last trip to Baton Rouge may have left a bad taste in his mouth, as the War Eagles fell to a last-second touchdown pass to former LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd, but Muschamp said his lasting memory of LSU is a brighter one.
“We had a lot of good times in Baton Rouge,” said the first-year Gator coach. “We still have a lot of friends there, my wife and I do. We had a great run and the LSU people were great to us, and certainly we appreciate the time we were there.”
LSU hired Muschamp in 2001 from Valdosta State, giving the aspiring coach his first Division I coaching job.
Muschamp, whose first son was born in Baton Rouge, left LSU in 2005 to follow Saban to the NFL, when his former boss took a job with the Miami Dolphins.
The two would part ways the next year, and have faced each other three times since.
“Will is doing a great job there,” Saban said. “I think he’s making his mark on the intangible things that he can affect — their effort, their toughness, their discipline. He’s a hard worker, he’s very passionate and I think he’ll do a great job there.”
Muschamp’s title-winning 2003 defense led the nation, allowing 10.8 points per game, and ranked No. 2, giving up 255.6 yards per game.
The 40-year-old coach, who has earned a reputation as a passionately intense motivator from his behavior on the sidelines, has continued that trend in Gainesville, Fla., where his defense ranks No. 7 in the nation for surrendering 258.6 yards per game and No. 13 in the nation for allowing 14.8 points per game.
“All the defensive guys seem to have this fiery characteristic about themselves and the way they carry themselves,” said senior linebacker Ryan Baker. “I’ve watched him on the sideline, and any time you can have a coach that is into the game as he is, it speaks volumes for your team.”
With Muschamp having a heavy hand in the defense, the Gators, looking for an offensive boost, hired former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weiss to run the offense.
Florida currently ranks No. 21 in the nation with 210.2 rushing yards per game and No. 37 nationally, scoring 34.2 points per game.
“The offense is much more diverse than it was in the previous regime,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “Charlie Weis has done great job in coordinating the spectrum of variations in offense.”
Despite having just five games under his belt as a head coach, Muschamp, who has led Florida to a 4-1 record, is already making his impact on the Southeastern Conference.
“They are well coached and well prepared,” Miles said. “Will Muschamp is doing a great job in his first year. He’s a quality coach. [I] would love to have him.”
 
 
 
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Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]