The search for former LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton’s replacement is officially underway.
TCU co-offensive coordinator Justin Fuente will interview for the same position at LSU, FOXSportsSouthwest.com reported Friday.
Fuente, 34, is scheduled to talk to LSU coach Les Miles about running the Tigers’ offense following the departure Crowton, who accepted the same position at Maryland on Thursday.
Fuente has been on staff at TCU since 2007 when he joined as a running backs coach and has called plays for the Horned Frogs since 2009 after Mike Schultz left for Illinois. Fuente helped TCU’s offense become one of the more potent offenses in the country in 2010. Under his guidance, TCU averaged more than 41 points and nearly 500 yards per game. Fuente, who also serves as the quarterbacks coach, helped senior quarterback Andy Dalton become the nation’s fifth most efficient passer (166.48).
LSU’s offense was particularly anemic for most of the 2010 season with Crowton at the helm. LSU finished the regular season 92nd in the country in total offense and ninth in the Southeastern Conference in scoring offense (28 ppg).
There was speculation Crowton’s offensive mind was hindered by Miles during his tenure at LSU. He had a successful first season in 2007 in Baton Rouge with veteran quarterback Matt Flynn — the year LSU won the BCS National Championship. Since then, the offensive has declined each season because of the inexperienced quarterback play of juniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. 
When interviewed Thursday, Crowton expressed high levels of excitement to begin his new tenure at Maryland. Crowton, unlike LSU, will have more freedom with his playbook at Maryland.
“Randy is a defensive coach by trade and wanted me to come in and install the whole offense, my terminology and everything, and do it the way I’ve done it in the past in some other places,” Crowton told The Times-Picayune on Thursday.
No announcement has been made when Fuente will interview.
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