LSU coach Les Miles was familiar with new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe long before Miles interviewed him.
Kragthorpe was the head coach at Tulsa when Miles piloted Oklahoma State.
“I watched him at Tulsa, and he threw the ball so stinking well,” Miles told a group of reporters. “I marveled at how good Tulsa could move the football against Oklahoma. Oklahoma State had less talent than Oklahoma, and Tulsa had less talent than Oklahoma State.”
Miles thinks Kragthorpe will help simplify the thought process of the offense from this past season. It’s no secret LSU’s quarterbacks struggled throughout the season, posting a cumulative 57 percent completion rate and 155.6 yards per game.
“I just felt like [Kraghthorpe] could shortcut some of the elaborate thought process that was going on,” Miles said. “And that would make our guys quicker decision makers.”
 
MURPHY NOT RETURNING
Miles also announced senior running back Richard Murphy will not attempt to gain a sixth year of eligibility.
Murphy, who played minimally this season, ends his LSU career with 524 rushing yards with two touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 214 yards.
Murphy was expected to be the main secondary back behind then junior Stevan Ridley. He was supplanted by freshmen Michael Ford and Spencer Ware, though.
Murphy was named to the Doak Walker Award watchlist before the season, which honors college football’s top running back.
 
 
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