My buddy Shane and I were coming home from work yesterday and we were listening to sports radio. Upon hearing the news of Gary Crowton leaving Oregon for LSU, we both chuckled. After a hard day of work, it always great to hear news like this.
It looks like Crowton is following my advice by getting out of Eugene. He needs to make sure to stay at LSU for only one year. Most likely he won’t. I want LSU fans to know why Gary Crowton is going to cause you pain when he stays more than one year.
First of all, let me preface these comments by saying that Gary Crowton is a great person. I’m sure he is a great husband/father. But because of what he did to BYU football, just thinking of his tenure here in Provo makes me cringe.
The news of Crowton’s hiring is circulating around the internet. LSU fans are gitty about this hire. Here are a few for you to enjoy:
Not many agree with me that this will be a bad hire. It looks like David James and I are in agreement.
Let me explain why I think this will be a bad hire.
Crowton runs a version of the spread offense. When he gets a new job, his first year has been great. Let the stats explain.
Chicago Bears
1999: Bears record was 6-10. Their offense scored 272 points (17/game), 7th worst in the NFL. 31 TDs, 7th worst in NFL (source). Leading passer: Shane Matthews
2000: Bears record was 5-11. Their offense scored 214 points (13.4/game), 4th worst in the NFL. 22 TDs, 3rd worst in the NFL (source). (The thing that you want to do from an offensive standpoint is you want to score points.) Leading passer: Cade McNown
It’s safe to say that he didn’t have the greatest quarterbacks to run his offense. Get this though. In 2001, the Bears went 13-3 with Jim Miller as the quarterback. They scored 338 points (21.1/game), good enough for 11th in the NFL.
BYU
2001: BYU went 12-2. They scored an amazing 608 points (46.8/game). Luke Staley was the leading rusher in the nation. However they got killed in their last two games. Everybody loved Crowton as head coach. What a great season! But it was a terrible watching them get killed by Hawaii and Louisville. Coincidentally, Luke Staley was injured in the two games BYU lost.
2002: Their record was 5-7. BYU’s first losing season in 30 years. They scored 272 points (22.7/game).
2003: BYU went 4-8. They scored 196 points (16.3/game). They didn’t score a point in the game versus Utah, the first time they went scoreless in a game in my lifetime.
2004: BYU went 5-6. They 267 points (24.3/game).
BYU went from scoring 608 points in 2001 to a low of 196 points in 2003! This was against average teams in the Mountain West Conference. He was the head coach and offensive coordinator at BYU.
Oregon
2005: Oregon went 10-2. They scored 414 points (34.5/game).
2006: Oregon went 7-6, losing their last 4. They scored 383 points (29.5/game).
There you have it. The only year he improved upon his previous year while at the same program was 2004. BYU couldn’t have gotten any worse after a terrible year in 2003.
The truth is Gary Crowton has a good offense. But smart teams are going to figure it out. Guess who was coaching Utah when BYU went scoreless in 2003-Urban Meyer. Most of the coaches in the SEC are almost as smart as Urban and they will shut down LSU’s offense. LSU has great athletes and he will find a way to make them look bad.
The Las Vegas Bowl was a great game this year. For most fans, I am sure it was a boring game. BYU almost shut out Oregon and won the game 38-8. Watching Oregon play brought back bitter memories of when Crowton was at BYU. They looked clueless out there. BYU’s secondary was injured. They didn’t have most of their best players playing because of injuries. Crowton failed to take advantage of his highly athletic receivers. Instead he was worrying about which quarterback to play on which down.
Be ready for an undisciplined offense that fails to make any adjustments-during the game or season.
LSU will probably have a great year with their athletes. They will score a lot of points. But don’t expect them to stay that way. Not with Crowton as the offensive coordinator. The numbers don’t lie.
Josh, Thanks for your comments about Crowton, but I think we at LSU will do just fine. You point out that Oregon went from scoring 34.5 points a game in 2005 to 29.5 points in 2006. If we average that many points, we won’t lose a game!!
Jerry
I also think LSU will do just fine… for roughly one season.
I have been unable to find stats from Louisiana Tech. If anybody knows where I can find them, please point me to where they are.
LSU doesn’t seem to be suffering too much today, January 7, 2008. The offense looked pretty last night.
You’re right Lance. LSU looked great last night. I mentioned they would do well this year. It would be nice to see them up against USC though. Now about halfway through next season you will see LSU start losing games, if history repeats itself.
Yeah, Crowton seriously hurt LSU, hurt them so bad they ended up in a National Championship with all kinds of broken school records and a nice big shiny Championship ring to go with it. Something neither you, nor your precious BYU will ever see the likes of again (other than that fluke in the 80’s) But yeah good call, bringing you’re gilded bias to the bat and hitting it way off.
You truly are a visionary.
Dane, you sound kind of like I did after Crowton’s first year at BYU. If you read the post more carefully, you will notice that I did say that they would do great the first year. Only time will tell if my theory is right. The country will start hearing LSU fans complain about their offense by the end of year.
As an Oregon fan I can say the biggest problem that I had with Crowton was his inability to design plays to get to the playmakers on the team. He had a set group of plays he liked to call, and he would call them no matter what. He couldn’t seem to recognize a players strength, and adjust his play calling to match. That in my opinion is huge in college football because you are dealing with young players who are continuously growing and changing from the time you sign them to the time they leave your program.
Just wait till Gary has to develop his own QB, you LSU fans will forget that national championship faster than you can say “3 years of rebuilding”
Just a thought. I played for Gary his first year and we dominated until the main part of our offense broke his leg. Nobody wins in Hawaii. I went on my mission and came home and we sucked. Because of Gary? No the legend on his way out didn’t recruit anyone decent. It takes 4 years until you can see recruiting results at BYU. I played for Bronco his first season and his second and we sucked the first and did well the second. Why cause Gary’s recruits were good. Gary is a great coach, a great guy and I am ashamed people like you think you know anything about football. People hate BYU because of people like you. Why do you have to say anything about him? Do you feel better dogging on a man who won a national championship and just beat Auburn last night? Maybe you are so smart you deserve to pass judgment. Oh ya thats why you are on ESPN and this page is so popular. I am not a member of your church but shame on you becuase you make them look bad. He is of your faith and doing great things and all you can say is crap. Get a life.
GaRY Crowton will always be remembered! who would want to coach a sorry BYU team anyways! He came here for Ya’ll! not by choice!! but keep your gossip up! He will just rub it in your face ! just watch Mr. Josh nice shirt by the way and your more bald then Crowton lol! Your just jealous your not half the man he is! you crack us all up!
I have been saying that LSU is struggling this year because of the play calling. I truly believe that Crowton is not the man for our tigers…Its nothing against him personally, but there is a lot of talent on the team and it is not being utilized. I don’t know if he’s only able to coach to a certain type of player, but a good coach has to work with the differences of his players and pull them together as a unit..lsu’s offense this year is struggling for cohesion. And its a shame, because the defense has found itself and is playing outstanding. Hopefully for more than Chavis’s first year
Ya know, it’s funny. I was looking for a way to vent my frustration and came across this page. After pulling my hair out for the first five games of this season, I’ve reached my maximum overload! LSU’s last two games of play calling have been very offensive to watch, pardon the pun! First off, I’ve seen middle school teams run the option better than Jordan Jefferson, so scrap it! Secondly, when you only need a yard don’t run eight yards back to hand the ball off. Now, you need nine yards gained for a first down. As far as in-game adjustment, it’s non-existent! You were right, Josh, I have suffered watching Crowton’s offense!
[...] Posted by Tiger10 I have never heard this beofre thanks for the insight. LSU Fans Will Suffer Because of Gary Crowton | Picklewagon __________________ "I would rather a daughter in a whorehouse than a son at Auburn" [...]
Josh, Josh, you are a prophet. I forwarded your email to the LSU Athletic Department. I am an Alum from 1989, and have been an LSU fan for 30 years. I have never seen an offensive corp as talented as the one we have today. Yet, Gary Crowton makes them look foolish. LSU had should have easily beaten Florid and blown away Georgia. Yet, the offense seems to have no game plan, no consistency, expect for running plays that don’t work over and over again. One thing we know for sure; if Gary Crowton finds a play that doesn’t work, he sticks with it. Ouch. Josh you are right, I have suffered watching Crowton’s offense. For the benefit of the program at LSU, he needs to step down before he ruins the college and potentially professional careers of more talented players at LSU.
Change your name to Nostradamus.
Good to see we are still rewarded for good performance!!
See if this link doesn’t stick in your craw!
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20091009/SPORTS17/910099880/1241?Title=LSU-coaches-awarded-pay-raises
[...] Is it time for a coaching change LSU Fans Will Suffer Because of Gary Crowton | Picklewagon FROM ORGEGON Fans to LSU Fans; I suppose we could have said the same to Florida State Fans about [...]
[...] Posted by Tiger10 I have never heard this beofre thanks for the insight. LINK __________________ "I would rather a daughter in a whorehouse than a son at Auburn" [...]
I’ve been watching the tigers for years and in the last few I’ve always thought it was Les Miles making them play conservative. Last year it was Lee throwing picks left and right, this year Jefferson holds the ball too long, either throw it, run, or throw it away, but he’ll hold the ball for 10 seconds till guys are crushing around him and then he tries to sramble. They aren’t making adjustments at all. The same plays over and over. I had assumed they were holding Jefferson back, saving Shepard for Florida. I really expected to see Shepard run the ball a few times early so he could launch one deep later and catch Florida flat footed, that didn’t happen. Someone needs to coach these young men. I think the debacle with Lee and now Jefferson can be blamed squarly on the quarterbacks coach AND Crowton. The defense looked good, gave up yards but saved scores, except for the one touchdown that happened because of offensive pass interference that wasn’t flagged. If they don’t do something in a hurry they are going 7-5 again. They have massive talent probably more than anyone else in the country(except maybe Florida and USC). Jarrett Lee was a 4 STAR recruit and he’s the backup… a 4 star recruit. He could start at two dozen other schools and would probably be better off for it! I think for LSU it all comes down to, you can’t play scared and thats exactly what the coahes are doing, playing not to lose rather than playing to win. Auburn is up next and I wanna see LSU play balls to the walls, otherwise I’m on the bandwagon that its time for some serious coaching changes.
[...] Is this crowtons offense? Read this website: LSU Fans Will Suffer Because of Gary Crowton | Picklewagon When you read the posting from this website, and notice it was from Jan. 18th, 2007, you will find [...]
Josh,
I didn’t comment on this post when you wrote it. I think I was over the whole Crowton era in Chicago, but I think we talked about it on the phone. While I was reading this, I kept seeing those dreaded plays running thru my head. I actually swore remembering the WR screen play the Bears ran about 20 times a game that never seemed to gain any yards, we either lost yards or almost turned the ball over each time. I’m just glad this isn’t my problem anymore. GO BEARS!!
[...] New offensive coordinator search thread. LSU Fans Will Suffer Because of Gary Crowton | Picklewagon Article from 2007.. and I think it rings very true. A few excerpts..LSU has great athletes and he [...]
[...] [...]
I laughed when you first wrote this article and I read it almost two years ago. I was at the Florida game last night and I was crying after the pathetic offensive showing. As I was walking to my car my reading this article suddenly burst into my mind and I realized you were dead on. Time to make a change on the offensive side and it that isnt done it may be time to start thinking about a replacement for the head man.
I’m not going to lie, this seems almost prophetic.
[...] says: August 14, 2008 at 11:42 am As an Oregon fan I can say the biggest problem that I had with Crowton was his inability to design [...]
As a ‘66 grad of LSU last night made me sick. All the commentators who point out the uneven and limited play selection are right. It’s almost as bad and predictable as the worst of “Charlie Mac” in the 60s & 70s. And as all say, far,far too much talent for the anemic point production.
They can’t run and won’t pass–the worst of all worlds. And you can’t limit the QB to short passes to keep things “safe” or you’ll be looking at eight men in the box all night and you’ll NEVER be able to run. Far better to air it out for a 70 yarder occasionally even if there is no one to catch it just to give the defense something to think about.
This is like dejavu. These are the exact happenings now that are occuring. I can’t believe my eyes on what I am reading. I use to be all Crowton until the last few ballgames. Everyone was telling me, “What are we running the same plays, over and over.?” Now everything is coming into focus. How do we get rid of this idiot and Coach Studs who undoubtedly doesn’t know how to improve our offensive line, or even what to do with them. Thanks again for this article. Ron.
You are so right. So very right. Last year, LSU averaged 28.23 points per game. So far this year, 23 (and that average is sure to keep going down in the second half of the season). Other teams have watched the film and they know what we’re going to do before the play is even called.
Wow this is down right scary because its so true. I’ve been a LSU fan all my life, but I’m tired of seeing this option play run with Jefferson that never works. Watching LSU’s offense against Florida just made me cringe because we looked so anemic. I can’t stand everytime we go to take a snap everyone looks at the sideline. It pisses me off that anyone could be so stupid.
Josh, is your last name Prophet by chance? Gary Crowton couldn’t coach a rock to stand still ! His game plan, gametime adjustments ,and the overall offensive menu not only lacks creativity, but common sense. Yet he just recieved a $50,000 raise. Obviously not based on job performance.He better hope he never loses the pictures he has of Alevia w/ a goat!! As I agree that Crowton is the offensive problem,my distaste includes the “Hat”. He is the leader, and responsible for the team and coaches. Crowton works for him,correct? Then what has the” Hat” been watching when we have the ball? Any manager worth his salt will sit his subordinates down when the ship is listing and make the necessary adjustment, before it sinks! Either Les is as inadequate as Crowton in making the adjustments, or he likes being in the water. Unfortunately for him it is the “hot water”!
Let the Board of Supervisors know how much you appreciate the extra 50K they gave Crowton. Contact the chair at:
Blake Chatelain mailto:bchatelain@RedRiverBank.net
I’ve never been one to call for the ousting of a Coach, primarily because the Coaching Staff directly knows what is going on within the team, they are best able to evaluate the talents of each player and they are the Professionals. However, I have been complaining about Crowton’s lack of creativity and poor play calling for 2 years and its now time for Coach Crowton to actively seek other opportunities and best for LSU to endorse his search. If Crowton stays on, I fear that LSU will continue to struggle and no school in the country will recruit him; eventually leading to his firing.
C’mon, Gary do the right thing!!
“Crowton’s offense has been No. 12 out of 12 Southeastern Conference teams most of the season and is now 109th out of 120 upper division schools in the nation with 295 yards a game.”
To whomever started this thread if you have not bought a lottery ticket yet in your home state I suggest you leave now and make that purchase.
Frank
This may a blessing in disguise. Once we lose a few games this year; even the “hat” lovers will have to aknowledge how our coaching staff has neglected to use the talented this team has in a useful way. Well….wishful thinking.
Wow, heads on. Was pointed to this site from tigerdroppings.com
Absolutely correct.
Crowton’s not the only one that needs to go. Miles should go too.
Ben-Zachary, I completely agree with you. Something needs to happen before high school kids start going other places.
dayum
what are next weeks lottery numbers?
Three years ago I worked on project with a brother of a BYU assistant coach, can’t remember his name, but he told me the exact same thing. In three years or so Crowton would be exposed. I said BYU never had the talent found at LSU, and he said that didn’t matter because there are so many times you can run a play. I said Crowton would be able to adjust with great talent to keep things fresh. Again he said it didn’t matter because Crowton will not adjust. So far he and J. Harrison are batting 1.000. Is LSU suffering from lack of talent, lack of experience, or lack of adjustment? I don’t know, but I do know whatever is being played is not working.
I have seen more illegal formations and botched time management from this team in one year than I saw in four years of Mike Shula (ouch). I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for LSU as long as they aren’t playing Bama. That said, this is as poor of a coaching job as I’ve ever seen. Just don’t come after Saban as a replacement
Crowton had Flynn and Hester back in ‘07, they carried the offense, now that Crowton’s full philosphy is in play will take a machine like Hester to make it produce. I believe could pull a play out of hat and be more productive than his play calling! Have this kind of talent and look like a 5th string offense? He is got to go and if Miles don’t get rid of him he needs to go also.
Now I understand; the play calling will never get better, how sad. Never has one man done so little, with so much.
Josh, wow, you hit the nail on the head, and predicted the future of LSU’s offense back in ‘07. Hat’s off to you. Our offensive scheme is so one dimensional, it’s not even funny. How many times is he going to call the QB option play that NEVER goes anywhere. I’m surprised we have won the games we have this year with this offense. He’s got all the talent he could ever want and can’t do anything with it.
Now I just learn that Crowton and Studrawa got a raise last week! Where is the thinking, reward someone for this offense? What has won the games so far is nothing but per talent with no coaching or direction. Coach Miles if you somehow see all of these fine people voice their opinions, better listen to all of us carefully. You can be at LSU along time if you want to, but you are the head man and you are going to have to get this mess straighten out or you will not be head coach very long! As an ex coach I feel for you but their comes a time when you have to make the right call.
Guys, LSU has some talent, but just not as much as they’ve had in the past. Those lineman suck and are weakly overrated. The QB is not smart and basically a dog on a short leash! All of the stud defensive lineman are gone. Plus, they’re a dumb team. Intercept a ball on 4th down when they could save 40 yards by batting it down; try to pick up a poorly snapped ball on a batched punt when you could kick it for a safety; line up offsides three times in one quarter when the reff told your islamic black ass not to!!! Just dumb – not football smart.
WOW!! This is amazing and I’m just blown away by how accurate the article is from two years ago. LSU has massive talent and its all being squandered.
As a footnote to this article I’d like to mention one other thing. The majority of LSU’s home games are at night and the tailgating starts early. We drink all day long leading up to the game. You know the offensive play calling is bad when you and all the other drunk coonass’s around you already know what the play is before they run it.
Amen Allen! kudos, bubble pass to left lose 5 yards, bubble pass to right lose 7 yards, sheperd run wild cat, except in last game. Pass in Flat for 5 yards needing 10 yards for a first down, maybe see Williams run the ball, we placing bets if he in game or not, Scott touches the ball more than 7 times maybe this may be the only thing we don’t know. Thank God for our Defense. Drink another 6-pack, we start talking and acting like we did in the 90’s, oh we say maybe next year! At least the Saints doing good, I predict now we will be in the Super Bowl!