Link Gumbo: 1-9-18

Just when you think the news breaks at LSU have slowed down...Another story breaks. Last night we learned that Steve Ensminger would be promoted to offensive coordinator and that Jerry Sullivan would get an elevated role. Earlier Monday, LSU juniors Kevin Toliver II and Toby Weathersby announced they would forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL Draft. Today we will also take a look at the basketball and gymnastics team’s wins over the weekend. Finally, we will take a look at a new addition to the 2018 recruiting class and what the SEC Commissioner had to say about Dave Aranda’s new deal.

Last night, Ross Dellenger of The Advocate reported that LSU was preparing to promote tight end’s coach Steve Ensminger. Ensminger played at LSU in the late 70’s and has been on the LSU coaching staff since 2010. Ensminger took over for Cam Cameron after Cameron and Miles were fired four games in. Ensminger did a serviceable job while working with someone else’s playbook. To say the LSU fanbase is not thrilled about this move is an understatement. I personally think Steve Ensminger knows what buttons to push and will perform better than fans expect. He is someone that Coach O greatly admires. Steve Ensminger will be allowed to work and do what he wants to do with the offense. Jerry Sullivan will also join the staff presumably as the passing game coordinator. This should help greatly with the development of LSU’s young wideouts.

Yesterday, LSU Juniors CB Kevin Tolliver II and OT Toby Weathersby both announced they would forgo their senior seasons and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. Weathersby and Tolliver were both highly recruited and each contributed a good amount to LSU these last three years. Weathersby and Tolliver are both projected to be mid-round picks in April. LSU is deep at both of these positions and should have formidable replacements next year.

Meanwhile, the Tigers finished 18th in the final Associated Press poll, dropping three spots following last week’s bowl loss to Notre Dame.

LSU basketball got a win against Texas A&M Saturday. In other news the sky is blue. It was a nice win for the basketball team as they beat a top 15 team on the road. Tremont Waters continued to amaze with a magical game-winning three. Waters also led the team in scoring with 21 points and a shot an impressive 6/13 from the field. The team’s next game will be at Arkansas tomorrow.

DD Breaux and the squad kicked off #GYMSZN last Friday with a win over Arkansas. It was an impressive performance from a team that lost seniors Ashleigh Gnat and Sydney Ewing after last season and was without Junior McKenna Kelley, who is sidelined for the year with an injury.

Over the weekend, LSU landed a commitment from four-star DB Kelvin Joseph. Joseph decommitted from the Tigers in October but put the LSU hat on Saturday at the Army All-American game. This was a big get for LSU. They beat out Alabama for a priority target and added their first DB to this class.

Speaking of #DBU, LSU cornerback Andraez “Greedy” Williams was selected to the Football Writers Association of America’s Freshman All-America team on Monday. Williams led the SEC with six interceptions.

Greg Sankey was asked what he thought about LSU DC Dave Aranda’s loft raise. The Advocate got his answer. You can find the full piece on Sankey here.

I’m sure you’re aware of LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s new $2.5 million per year, four-year contract after Texas A&M tried to land him. Are SEC schools going after each others’ coaches a concern, as are rising salaries?

I’m always attentive to personnel moves and the nature of that. Dave remaining at LSU obviously captured a lot of attention. Dave is obviously important to LSU’s program and the leadership of that university makes a decision that it wants to keep its defensive coordinator in place. That happens all around this country.

The escalating salaries is one that is appropriately part of the conversation. I think it will continue to be part of the conversation. The reality is people can go make job inquiries of each other without limitations. Those realities combine with resources to inform the decision making on campuses.

I don’t know where the end (with salaries) is. I think there is an end. Resources and leadership drives that.

And yes I had to mention it, Alabama won another title last night in dramatic fashion. Both of the teams you watched play last night will take a trip to Baton Rouge next season. The Tigers will have plenty of chances to show what they can do. Also, lets wait until we actually see the offense play a real game before we crucify Ed O or Ensminger for anything.