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Home , Bo Pelini, Doug Mallory, Gary Moeller, Les Miles, Offensive coordinator

INTRO

NOTEBOOK

COACHES

TIGERS

REVIEW

THE SEASON

HISTORY

LES MILES LSU FOOTBALL HEAD COACH

t’s nothing short of remark- and friends due to the storm, it behind them, it looked as if things for was on his own, forced to navigate his able what first-year LSU appeared the Tigers would finally get to the LSU football team would gradually LSU team through a treacherous stretch coach has been play a home game, this time against get back to normal as the Tigers now of games, while also being sympathetic able to accomplish during his 15th-ranked Arizona State. had a week off before facing No. 10 to those still under the influence of the inaugural season with the However, just as the Tigers began Tennessee in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 24. natural disasters. TIigers. Consider that Miles led the Tigers to prepare for the Sun Devils and the Then, the unthinkable happened. With just five days between the to only the eighth 10-win season in season-opener in Tiger Stadium, it’s Another storm, this one named Rita, hit Tennessee loss and the Mississippi State school history, to a top 10 national rank- learned that the devastation to New southwestern Louisiana, causing severe game, Miles and the Tigers were obvi- ing and a berth in the Southeastern Orleans is much greater than originally damage to more homes, Conference Championship Game despite thought. With the Maravich Center on leaving thousands with- numerous distractions that covered the LSU campus serving as what would out electricity and dis- most of the months of September and become the largest field triage unit in placing even more The Les Miles File October. United States history, it was mutually Louisianians. The combi- BIRTHDATE: . .Nov. 10, 1953 First, Miles had to deal with decided to move the LSU-Arizona State nation of Hurricanes HOMETOWN: . .Elyria, Ohio Hurricane Katrina, a storm that devas- game to Tempe, Ariz. Katrina and Rita forced WIFE: ...... Kathy tated the Gulf Coast, in particular New Still, with many in Louisiana under LSU to again shuffle its CHILDREN: . . .Kathryn “Smacker”, Leslie Matthew “Manny”, Benjamin, and Macy Grace Orleans and southeastern Louisiana. distress caused by Hurricane Katrina, schedule. Instead of COLLEGE: . . . .Michigan, '76 Over 30 LSU players had their families the Tigers had to take to the desert to playing Tennessee on a and their homes affected by a storm face a powerful in their first Saturday night in Tiger EDUCATION: that postponed what was scheduled to game of the season. Stadium, the Tigers were Graduated from the in 1976 with a be Miles’ first game in Tiger Stadium These were certainly trying times forced to face the degree in economics. against North Texas. With the LSU cam- for everyone in the state of Louisiana, Volunteers on a Monday pus serving as the recovery center for but even more so for a football coach night. An emotionally PLAYING EXPERIENCE: those sick, homeless and displaced due who now had his team carrying the ban- drained LSU team saw a Two-year letterman at Michigan in 1974 and 1975. Played to Hurricane Katrina, football seemed to ner for a state in need of a diversion. 21-0 halftime lead evapo- on two Big 10 Championship Teams as well as participat- be the farthest thing from most people’s LSU football had become a release for rate into a 30-27 over- ing in the 1976 Orange Bowl. Earned all-state honors in minds. However, Miles was able to suc- those consumed with the hurricane. LSU time loss against the football at Elyria High School in Ohio and also earned let- ters in baseball and wrestling. cessfully manage a delicate situation, even stated that its team goals, putting 10th-rankedVols. one that saw his team and coaching playing for the state of Louisiana at the There was no COACHING EXPERIENCE: staff volunteer time to those in need, top of the list. coaching handbook for Coached on six Big 10 championship teams and 10 bowl while still attempting to focus on foot- The Tigers didn’t disappoint as Miles to refer to when it teams at Michigan. Coached offensive line at Colorado ball for at least two hours a day. Miles and his LSU team used a 28-point came to dealing with the from 1982 to 1986 and on two Colorado teams that went After a week of trying to minimize fourth quarter rally to come from hurricanes and prepar- to bowl games. Served as at the distractions for a football team that behind to defeat Arizona State, 35-31, in ing a team for competi- Oklahoma State from 1995-97. Spent three seasons had their apartments and dorm rooms Tempe. tion during extreme coaching tight ends for the before filled with displaced family members Now with the Arizona State game adverse conditions. Miles returning to OSU as head coach prior to the 2001 season.

2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE 25 Head Coach

INTRO NOTEBOOK Les Miles Year-by-Year COACHES YEAR TEAM RECORD BOWL NOTES Assistant Coach TIGERS 1980 Michigan 10-2 Rose Big 10 Champions REVIEW 1981 Michigan 9-3 Bluebonnet Ranked No. 12 THE SEASON 1982 Colorado 2-8-1 1983 Colorado 4-7 HISTORY 1984 Colorado 1-10 1985 Colorado 7-5 Freedom 1986 Colorado 6-6 Bluebonnet 1987 Michigan 8-4 Hall of Fame Ranked No. 19 Miles vs. All Opponents 1988 Michigan 9-2-1 Rose Rose Bowl Champions 1989 Michigan 10-2 Rose Big 10 Champions OPPONENT RECORD North Texas 1-0 1990 Michigan 9-3 Cotton Cotton Bowl Champions Appalachian State 1-0 Northern Iowa 1-0 1991 Michigan 10-2 Rose Big 10 Champions Alabama 1-0 Northwestern State 1-0 1992 Michigan 9-0-3 Rose Rose Bowl Champions Arizona State 1-0 Ohio State 0-1 1993 Michigan 8-4 Hall of Fame Arkansas 1-0 Oklahoma 2-2 1994 Michigan 8-4 Holiday Holiday Bowl Champions Auburn 1-0 Ole Miss 1-1 1995 Oklahoma State 4-8 Baylor 4-0 SMU 3-0 1996 Oklahoma State 5-6 1997 Oklahoma State 8-4 Alamo Colorado 1-1 Southern Miss 1-1 1998 Dallas Cowboys 10-6 Divisional Champions Florida 1-0 Missouri State 1-0 1999 Dallas Cowboys 8-8 Georgia 0-1 Tennessee 0-1 2000 Dallas Cowboys 5-11 Iowa State 1-1 Texas 0-4 Kansas 2-0 Texas A&M 2-2 Head Coach Kansas State 1-1 Texas Tech 1-3 2001 Oklahoma State 4-7 Louisiana-Lafayette 1-0 Tulsa 1-0 2002 Oklahoma State 8-5 Houston Houston Bowl Champions Louisiana Tech 1-1 UCLA 1-1 2003 Oklahoma State 9-4 Cotton Mississippi State 1-0 2004 Oklahoma State 7-5 Alamo Vanderbilt 1-0 2005 LSU 10-2 Peach SEC Western Division Champions Missouri 1-1 Wyoming 1-0 TOTAL 4 Seasons 38-23 Nebraska 1-1 Total 38-23

ously dealt an unfair hand, however, he Cowboys, who built Oklahoma State into lege football. At Michigan, he played for after a season opening loss at Nebraska asked his team to respond and they did. a force in the Big 12, became LSU's 32nd legendary coach and and finished the season with back-to- The Mississippi State contest was the head football coach on Jan. 3, 2005. later served on Schembechler's staff. He back victories. The seven consecutive starting point for a stretch of games for In four short years, Miles turned also worked with at victories marked the longest winning the Tigers that saw LSU win nine the Oklahoma State football program Michigan and Bill McCartney at streak by an Oklahoma State team since straight games. The 37-7 win over the into one that was nationally competi- Colorado. 1949 when the Cowboys posted a perfect Bulldogs was followed by a 34-6 road tive, despite competing in-state against As head coach at Oklahoma State, 9-0 record. victory over Vanderbilt as the Tigers one of the country’s dominant pro- he built a consistent winner out of a Miles' 2003 Oklahoma State team had re-established themselves as one of grams. program that had recorded only one featured one NFL First Round Draft pick the nation’s elite on the football field. Miles honed his head coaching winning season since 1988, and had in Rashaun Woods and During what would be 11 consecutive skills at Oklahoma State. Under Miles’ posted a record of 13-20 in the three one second round selection in running weeks of play, the Tigers posted a win direction, the Cowboys were the only years prior to his arrival at OSU. After back Tatum Bell, as the Cowboy offen- over Florida along with overtime victo- team in the nation to beat Oklahoma going 4-7 in his first year as head coach sive attack featured both a 1,000-yard ries against Auburn and Alabama. In all, twice between 2001-2004, and he was in 2001, he took the Cowboys to consec- rusher (Bell) and a 1,000-yard receiver the Tigers beat four teams ranked also the first coach in Oklahoma State utive winning marks of 8-5 in 2002, 9-4 (Woods). among the top 15 in the nation, a school history to post wins over Nebraska and in 2003 and 7-5 in 2004. Miles was the 2002 Big 12 record for regular season victories over Oklahoma in the same season. Miles led Oklahoma State to a four- Conference Coach of the Year after ranked opponents. Miles led the Cowboys to three year record of 28-21 for a winning per- directing his second Oklahoma State After 10 straight weeks of play dur- straight bowl appearances, an accom- centage of 57.1, the best career winning team to an 8-5 record and the school's ing the regular season, the Tigers had plishment Oklahoma State had not percentage of an OSU coach since Jim first bowl appearance since 1997. In fashioned a 7-1 conference mark and a achieved since Jimmy Johnson started Lookabaugh ended his career in 2002, Miles' Cowboy offense set the berth in the SEC title game. a string of three straight post season Stillwater in 1949. school standard for passing offense Miles became the only coach in his games beginning in 1983. In addition, In 2004, Miles took Oklahoma State (259 yards per game), while averaging first year in the SEC to lead his squad to Oklahoma State's appearance in the as high as No. 15 in the country with five 403.3 yards of offense per game, the the league’s title game. He also became Cotton Bowl to cap the 2003 season wins to open the season. The 2004 sea- fourth-highest total at the school. the first coach in LSU history to beat marked the first time in 55 years that son included road wins at UCLA, The Cowboys, who averaged 34.4 Alabama, Auburn and Florida in the the Cowboys appeared in a January Colorado and Missouri, and the Cowboys points per game, closed the 2002 sea- same season. bowl game. never lost to a team outside of the top son with wins in six of their last seven Now with a 10-2 overall mark, Miles Miles' success as a collegiate head 25. In addition, his 2004 Cowboys ranked games, including a 38-28 victory over is one victory shy of leading the Tigers coach has come by combining an explo- 12th in the nation in rushing, averaging then-No. 3 ranked Oklahoma in the reg- to the second-highest win total in sive offensive system with that of a 237 yards per game, and Oklahoma State ular-season finale. The Cowboys capped school history. Only twice in the 110-plus sound defensive scheme. In his last two was among the national leaders in scor- the 2002 season with a 33-23 win over years of football in Baton Rouge, have years at Oklahoma State, Miles' offenses ing offense with 32.3 points a contest. Southern Miss in the Houston Bowl. the Tigers won more than 10 games in a put up a total of 857 points for an aver- Oklahoma State's 2003 season was Prior to his tenure as head coach single season. age of 34.3 points per game. highlighted by victories over eventual at Oklahoma State, Miles was the tight Miles, the 2002 Miles’ college playing and coach- Big 12 Champion Kansas State and a ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys for Coach of the Year and former assistant ing career includes experience under bowl-bound Texas Tech squad. Miles and three seasons from 1998-2000. During with Michigan, Colorado and the Dallas some of the most noted coaches in col- his Cowboys won seven straight in 2003 his three years with the Cowboys, Dallas

26 2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE Head Coach

Miles Career Head Coaching Record INTRO 2001 - Oklahoma State 2004 - Oklahoma State NOTEBOOK RECORD: 4-7 (2-6 BIG XII, 5TH SOUTH) RECORD: 7-5 (4-4 BIG XII, 5TH SOUTH) COACHES Sept. 1 at Southern Miss L 17-9 Sept. 4 at UCLA W 31-20 TIGERS Sept. 8 Louisiana Tech W 30-23 Sept. 11 Tulsa W 38-21 Sept. 22 at Texas A&M L 21-7 #25 Sept. 18 SMU W 59-7 REVIEW Sept. 29 Northwestern State W 24-0 #24 Oct. 2 Iowa State W 36-7 THE SEASON Oct. 6 Missouri L 48-31 3OT #21 Oct. 4 at Colorado W 42-14 HISTORY Oct. 13 #11 Texas L 45-17 #15 Oct. 16 Texas A&M L 36-20 Oct. 20 at Iowa State L 28-14 #21 Oct. 23 at Missouri W 20-17 Oct. 27 #25 Colorado L 22-19 #20 Oct. 30 #2 Oklahoma L 38-35 Nov. 10 Texas Tech L 49-30 #19 Nov. 6 at #7 Texas L 56-35 Nov. 17 at Baylor W 38-22 #24 Nov. 13 Baylor W 49-21 Nov. 24 at #4 Oklahoma W 16-13 #23 Nov. 23 at Texas Tech W 44-21 ALAMO BOWL • SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS • ALAMO DOME Dec. 29 #19 Ohio State L 33-7 2002 - Oklahoma State RECORD: 8-5 (5-3 BIG XII, 4TH SOUTH) 2005 - LSU Aug. 31 at Louisiana Tech L 39-36 RECORD: 10-2 (7-1 SEC, 1ST SEC WEST) Sept. 7 Northern Iowa W 45-10 #3 Sept. 10 at #15 Arizona State W 35-31 Sept. 14 #23 UCLA L 38-24 #4 Sept. 26 #10 Tennessee L 30-27 OT Sept. 21 SMU W 52-16 #4 Oct. 1 at Mississippi State W 37-7 Oct. 5 at #2 Texas L 17-15 #11 Oct. 8 at Vanderbilt W 34-6 Oct. 12 at #19 Kansas State L 44-9 #8 Oct. 15 #11 Florida W 21-17 Oct. 19 Nebraska W 24-21 #7 Oct. 22 #15 Auburn W 20-17 OT Nov. 2 Texas A&M W 28-23 #7 Oct. 29 North Texas W 56-3 Nov. 9 at Texas Tech L 49-24 #6 Nov. 5 Appalachian State W 24-0 Nov. 16 at Kansas W 55-20 #5 Nov. 12 at #3 Alabama W 16-13 OT Nov. 23 Baylor W 63-28 #4 Nov. 19 at Ole Miss W 40-7 Nov. 30 #3 Oklahoma W 38-28 #3 Nov. 25 Arkansas W 19-17 HOUSTON BOWL • HOUSTON, TEXAS • RELIANT STADIUM SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME • • GEORGIA DOME Dec. 27 Southern Miss W 33-23 #3 Dec. 3 #13 Georgia L 34-14 CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL • ATLANTA • GEORGIA DOME 2003 - Oklahoma State #9 Dec. 30 #10 Miami 6:30 p.m. CST RECORD: 9-4 (5-3 BIG XII, 3RD SOUTH) Aug. 30 at Nebraska L 17-7 Sept. 6 Wyoming W 48-24 Sept. 13 SMS W 42-3 Sept. 20 at SMU W 52-6 Oct. 9 UL-Lafayette W 56-3 Oct. 11 #22 Kansas State W 38-34 #24 Oct. 18 Texas Tech W 51-49 #19 Nov. 1 at Texas A&M W 38-10 #15 Nov. 8 at #1 Oklahoma L 52-9 #22 Nov. 16 #11 Texas L 55-16 Nov. 23 Kansas W 44-21 #24 Nov. 30 at Baylor W 38-21 COTTON BOWL • DALLAS, TEXAS • COTTON BOWL STADIUM #22 Jan. 2 Ole Miss L 31-28

won one divisional title while participat- every stop of both his playing and pro- ing in the playoffs twice. In Dallas, Miles fessional career. He was a two-year let- learned of LSU and the charm of the terman at Michigan (1974-75). During Les and Kathy Miles have four children, school from David LaFleur, those two seasons, Michigan was a com- Kathryn, Leslie Matthew, Benjamin and Macy Grace. who starred for the Tigers in the 1990s. bined 18-3-2, had final Associated Press In three years of coaching tight ends for national rankings in the top 10 and par- In 1987, he returned to Michigan, son, Miles remained on the staff. The the Cowboys, Miles' players combined ticipated in both the Rose and Orange where he spent the next eight years as 1990 team finished 9-3, winning the Big for 136 receptions for 1,287 yards and 16 Bowls. part of one of the most successful eras 10 title and the Gator Bowl. The following touchdowns. LaFleur, a former LSU All- He joined Bo Schembechler's in Michigan football history. From 1987 season (1991), Michigan finished 10-2 and America selection, had his best year Michigan coaching staff in 1980 for the to 1994, Michigan won 71 games, made with a No. 6 national ranking. Miles under Miles in 1999, starting 16 games first of two stints as a coach in Ann eight straight bowl appearances, includ- coached some of the best players to and catching 35 passes for 322 yards Arbor. In 1980 and 1981, Michigan com- ing four trips to the Rose Bowl, and fin- wear the Michigan uniform, including and seven touchdowns. bined for 19 wins and just five losses, ished no lower than No. 21 in final eight first-team All-Americans, 10 total Miles comes to LSU off of his sec- won the Big 10 title in 1980 and played in Associated Press national rankings. All-Americans and 12 players from ond tour of duty with Oklahoma State. the Rose and Bluebonnet Bowls, respec- The 1989 Michigan squad finished Wolverine offensive lines that were NFL Before going to Dallas, Miles served as tively. Miles left Michigan for Colorado, 10-2, won the Big 10 championship and draftees. Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator where he served on Bill McCartney's finished ranked No. 7 in the country. Born November 10, 1953, Miles for three seasons from 1995-97, includ- staff from 1982 through 1986. In his final That would be Coach Bo Schembechler's earned his degree in economics from ing an 8-3 season and Alamo Bowl berth two years at Colorado, the Buffs earned final season as Michigan's head coach. Michigan in 1976. Les and Kathy Miles in 1997. bids to the Freedom Bowl and When Gary Moeller took over the have four children, Kathryn, Leslie Success has followed Miles at Bluebonnet Bowl. Michigan program prior to the 1990 sea- Matthew, Benjamin and Macy Grace.

2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE 27 Assistant Coaches

INTRO Nall (Packers) … Since 2000, Fisher has coached four to NFL draft status – Mauck, Nall, Booty, and Davey. NOTEBOOK Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line

COACHES In his second tour of duty with TIGERS the Tigers, but first as an on- THE FISHER FILE REVIEW field coach … Served as an YEAR AT LSU: . . Sixth THE SEASON assistant strength coach at LSU BIRTHDATE: . . . . Oct. 9, 1965, at Clarksburg, W.V. HISTORY in 2000 and 2001 before joining WIFE: ...... Candi Coogler Les Miles’ staff at Oklahoma CHILD: ...... Trey, Ethan HIGH SCHOOL: . . Liberty State for two years … Spent one COLLEGE: ...... Salem College '89 season with eh in the NFL before returning to COACHING EXPERIENCE his alma mater this year … 1988-89 ...... Samford (student assistant) 1990 ...... Samford (graduate assistant/quarterbacks) Tremendous defensive line 1991-92 ...... Samford (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) coach who coached a pair of 1993-98 ...... Auburn (quarterbacks) defensive tackles in Kyle 1999 ...... Cincinnati (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) 2000- ...... LSU (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) Williams and Claude Wroten to All-America honors in 2005 … Both were also First-Team All-SEC picks after combining for 18 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks … LSU’s starting defensive line as a unit combined for 33 tackles for losses and 16.5 Josh Henson sacks … DE Melvin Oliver led the Tigers with 8 sacks and 9.5 tackles for Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator losses in 2005. In first season with LSU … Came THE DUNBAR FILE to LSU after serving on Les Miles’ Oklahoma State staff for YEAR AT LSU: ...... Third BIRTHDATE: ...... May 18, 1967, in Opelousas, La. four years … Serves as LSU’s WIFE: ...... Pamela tight ends coach and recruiting CHILDREN: ...... Karmichael MacKenzie II, Mickel Angelle, coordinator … As LSU’s tight ...... Nickolette Alyse HIGH SCHOOL: ...... Plaisance ends coach, oversaw a position COLLEGE: ...... LSU, '92 that saw Tiger tight ends play a key role in the offense … LSU’s COACHING EXPERIENCE tight ends combined for 18 1996 ...... Opelousas (La.) High School (defensive line) 1997 ...... Beau Chene High School () receptions, 230 yards and 1 TD 1998-99 ...... Nicholls State (defensive line) … Senior David Jones led the 2000-01 ...... LSU (assistant strength and conditioning coach) Tigers with 10 receptions for 2002-03 ...... Oklahoma State (defensive line) 2004 ...... Chicago Bears (defensive line) 120 yards, while 2005 ...... LSU (assistant head coach, defensive line) added seven catches for 104 yards and one score … Former offensive lineman for Oklahoma State, who started 40 games during his career with the Cowboys. Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks THE HENSON FILE

One of the top offensive minds YEAR AT LSU: . . . .First BIRTHDATE: ...... July 14, 1975, in Tuttle, Okla. in the college game … In his WIFE: ...... Shauna sixth season as LSU’s offensive CHILDREN: ...... Will coordinator and quarterbacks HIGH SCHOOL: . . .Tuttle coach ... Since taking over the COLLEGE: ...... Oklahoma State, '98 Tiger offense for the 2000 sea- COACHING EXPERIENCE son, Fisher had led an LSU 1999 ...... Oklahoma State (graduate assistant) offense that has set numerous 2001-04 ...... Oklahoma State (tight ends/recruiting coordinator) 2005- ...... LSU (tight ends/recruiting coordinator) school records, including points in a season (475 in 2003), total yards (5,857 in 2003) and passing touchdowns (30 in 2003) … Once again has the Tigers ranked among the best in the league in scoring as LSU is third in the SEC with 28.6 points per game … The Tigers are second in the SEC in passing offense (225.7) and second in passing efficiency (141 rating) … In five years, has coached Tiger quarterbacks to First Team All-SEC honors once (Josh Booty in 2000) and two Second Team All-SEC honors twice (Rohan Davey in 2001, Mauck in 2003) … Currently has three former quarter- backs on NFL rosters - Mauck (Titans), Marcus Randall (Titans) and Craig

28 2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE Assistant Coaches

Doug Mallory THE MONKEN FILE INTRO Defensive Backs NOTEBOOK

YEAR AT LSU: ...... First COACHES In first season at LSU … Coaches BIRTHDATE: ...... February 2, 1966, in Wheaton, Ill. the Tiger defensive backs … WIFE: ...... Terri TIGERS CHILDREN: ...... Travis REVIEW Came to LSU from Oklahoma COLLEGE: ...... Knox College, '89 State … Served on Les Miles’ POSTGRADUATE: . . . .Grand Valley State, '91 THE SEASON

staff at Oklahoma State for four HISTORY years … At LSU, on a defensive COACHING EXPERIENCE 1989-90 ...... Grand Valley State (assistant coach) staff that has the Tigers ranked 1991-92 ...... Notre Dame (graduate assistant) among the top eight in the 1993-99 ...... Eastern Michigan (defensive backs, 1993; nation in four categories, wide receivers, punt return unit, 1994-97; offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, 1998-99) including a No. 5 national rating 2000-01 ...... Louisiana Tech (running backs/recruiting coordinator, in pass efficiency defense … The 2000; wide receivers, 2001) Tigers allowed opponents to 2002-04 ...... Oklahoma State (pass game coordinator, wide receivers) complete an SEC-low 47.5 per- 2005 ...... LSU (wide receivers/passing game coordinator) cent of their passes this season … Coached a defensive backfield that included third-team All-America and first-team All-SEC selection in LaRon Landry … Also helped ease the Defensive Coordinator transition in a secondary that lost two starters a year ago in corner- backs Corey Webster and Travis Daniels, both of which are now playing In first year as LSU’s defensive in the NFL. coordinator … Came to LSU after a pair of one-year stints THE MALLORY FILE at Oklahoma and Nebraska … Also spent eight years in the YEAR AT LSU: ...... First NFL coaching for the 49ers, the BIRTHDATE: ...... November 2, 1964, in Dekalb, Ill. Packers and the Patriots … WIFE: ...... Lisa CHILDREN: ...... Emily, Allison, Sarah Considered one of the top HIGH SCHOOL: . . . . .Dekalb defensive minds in football … COLLEGE: ...... Michigan, '88 Has taken over an LSU defense COACHING EXPERIENCE that had been ranked among 1988 ...... Indiana (graduate assistant) the best in the nation for two 1989 ...... Army (offensive line) straight years and made them 1990-93 ...... Western Kentucky (defensive coordinator, 1992-93; secondary, even better … LSU goes into the inside linebackers, special teams, 1990-91) 1994-96 ...... Indiana (defensive backs, special teams) Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl ranked among the top eight in the nation in four 1997-2000 ...... Maryland (secondary) defensive categories, including a No. 5 ranking in total defense (276 2001-04 ...... Oklahoma State (secondary) yards per game) … The Tigers also rank No. 5 in the nation in pass effi- 2005- ...... LSU (defensive backs) ciency defense (141 rating), No. 7 in rushing defense (94.8 yards per game) and No. 8 in scoring defense (15.2 points per game) … With an attacking defense, the Tigers have managed 34 sacks, a figure that ranks second to only Auburn’s 36 in the SEC … The Tigers have also been Wide Receivers/ good at defending the redzone as LSU’s second in the SEC by allowing Passing Game Coordinator opponents only a 70 percent success rate inside the 20-yard line … Another first-year coach on the Pelini did all of this on defense despite the fact that LSU lost three play- LSU staff … Serves as the ers to the NFL from a year ago, all of which are currently starters for Tigers’ wide receivers coach their respective teams (DE Marcus Spears – Cowboys; CB Travis Daniels and passing game coordinator – Dolphins; CB Corey Webster – Giants). … Came to LSU after a three- year stint on Les Miles’ staff at THE PELINI FILE Oklahoma State … Oversees one of the nation’s most-talented YEAR AT LSU: . . . . .First BIRTHDATE: ...... December 13, 1967, in Youngstown, Ohio and deepest groups of wide WIFE: ...... Mary Pat receivers … LSU had three CHILDREN: ...... Patrick, Kathryn and Caralyn receivers with 30 or more HIGH SCHOOL: . . . .Cardinal Mooney receptions, led by Dwayne COLLEGE: ...... Ohio State, '90 Bowe’s 38 catches for 659 yards COACHING EXPERIENCE and nine touchdowns … Other 30-catch receivers for the Tigers in 2005 1991 ...... Iowa (graduate assistant) include Skyler Green with 32 for 268 yards and Craig Davis with 30 for 1993 ...... Cardinal Mooney High School (quarterbacks) 1994-96 ...... (defensive backs) 460 yards … The Tigers also have three receivers (Bowe, Green and 1997-99 ...... (linebackers) Davis) with over 1,000 career receiving yards … Perhaps his best coach- 2000-02 ...... (linebackers) ing came with the progression of Bennie Brazell, who developed into a 2003 ...... Nebraska (defensive coordinator, interim head coach for Alamo deep threat for LSU in 2005 … Brazell, a senior, came into the 2005 sea- Bowl) 2004 ...... Oklahoma (co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs) son with only four career receptions and no touchdowns … Brazell fin- 2005 ...... LSU (defensive coordinator) ished the year with 13 catches for 292 yards and three touchdowns, all of which went for at least 43 yards.

2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE 29 Assistant Coaches

INTRO Bradley Dale yards rushing per game … Senior Joseph Addai ranked among the league leaders with 781 yards and eight touchdowns, while junior Justin NOTEBOOK Peveto Vincent added 482 yards and five scores … Addai led the Tigers with COACHES Special Teams four 100-yard rushing games in 2005 … Addai also proved to be a threat Coordinator/Linebackers TIGERS out of the backfield, catching 18 passes for 175 yards. REVIEW In first year with the Tigers … THE SEASON Serves as LSU’s special teams THE PORTER FILE HISTORY coordinator and linebackers YEAR AT LSU: ...... First coach … As LSU’s special teams BIRTHDATE: ...... April 28, 1972, in Jackson, Miss. coordinators has overhauled WIFE: ...... Sharmane the Tigers into one of the best CHILDREN: ...... Brandon, Omari, Olivia HIGH SCHOOL: ...... Columbus (Ga.) around … The Tigers, behind COLLEGE: ...... Memphis, '96 punter Chris Jackson, ranked first in the SEC and No. 3 in net COACHING EXPERIENCE punting with a 38.9 average … 1998 ...... Tennessee-Martin (running backs) 1999-2001 ...... Arkansas State (running backs) After several years of consis- 2002-2004 ...... Oklahoma State (running backs) tent miscues in the kicking 2005 ...... LSU (running backs) game, the Tigers missed only one point-after conversion all season and they connected on a 10-of-19 field goals … The Tigers were also the best in the league in kickoff coverage with a net average of 45.5 … LSU’s Stacey Searels punt return team, led by All-America Skyler Green, ranked second in the Offensive Line SEC and 12th nationally with a 14.6 average … The Tigers also scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns on special teams in a win over In his third year with the Tigers Arizona State, returning a blocked 55-yards for a score and … Serves as LSU’s offensive line followed that with a 29-yard return of a blocked punt for a score … In coach … Coached an offensive all, LSU had three special teams touchdowns and recorded a safety on line that featured senior All- special teams in 2005 … As LSU’s linebacker coach, coached Cameron America Andrew Whitworth Vaughn to a team-best 82 tackles, while seeing the progression of first- along with senior Academic All- year starters in Kenneth Hollis and … In all, LSU’s line- America Rudy Niswanger … backers combined to score two touchdowns, while recording 18.5 tack- Whitworth set an LSU record by les for losses and five sacks. starting 51 straight games, a streak that stretches back to THE PEVETO FILE the season-opener in 2002 … Niswanger was named the YEAR AT LSU: . .First recipient of the Draddy Trophy, BIRTHDATE: . . . .Dec. 28, 1962, in Orangefield, Texas WIFE: ...... Melissa which goes to the top student- CHILDREN: . . . . .Payton Marie athlete in … Niswanger, in his first full season at center, HIGH SCHOOL: . .Orangefield (Texas) was also named the SEC Student-Athlete of the Year in football … LSU’s COLLEGE: ...... SMU, '87 offensive line feature first-team All-SEC pick in Whitworth and a pair of Coaching Experience second-team all-conference selections in Niswanger and sophomore 1987 ...... Trinity Valley Community College (secondary) Will Arnold … The Tigers managed to average 28 points and 366 yards 1988-91 ...... Stephen F. Austin (defensive line, linebacker, secondary, special teams per game despite losing to offensive line starters to injuries during the coordinator) 1992-93 ...... Southern Miss (outside linebackers, special teams coordinator) season … Since taking over for the Tigers in 2003, Searels has had play- 1994-95 ...... Arkansas (linebackers, special teams coordinator) ers earn four first-team All-SEC honors and another two players be 1996-98 ...... Northwestern (La.) State (defensive coordinator, linebackers) named second-team all-conference … In addition, , LSU’s 1999-2002 . . . . .Houston (secondary/co-defensive coordinator) 2003-04 ...... Middle Tennessee (defensive coordinator, secondary, linebackers) center for four years, was named the 2004 recipient of the Rimington 2005 ...... LSU (special teams coordinator, linebackers) Trophy, which goes to college football’s top center.

Larry Porter Running Backs THE SEARELS FILE

In first season with the Tigers … YEAR AT LSU: ...... Third Serves as LSU’s running backs BIRTHDATE: ...... May 19, 1965, in Rome, Ga. WIFE: ...... Patricia coach … Came to LSU after a CHILDREN: ...... Taylor, Savannah three-year stay at Oklahoma HIGH SCHOOL: ...... Trion State … Oversees a Tiger run- COLLEGE: ...... Auburn, ‘90 POSTGRADUATE ...... Auburn, ‘95 ning game that ranks among the best in the SEC … The COACHING EXPERIENCE Tigers, despite losing starter 1992-93 ...... Auburn (graduate assistant) and preseason All-SEC pick 1994-2000 ...... Appalachian State (offensive line) 2000-02 ...... Cincinnati (offensive line) Alley Broussard to a knee injury 2003 ...... LSU (offensive line) during fall camp, averaged 140

30 2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE Support Staff

INTRO

NOTEBOOK

COACHES

TIGERS

REVIEW

THE SEASON

HISTORY Doug Aucoin Charles Baglio Andy Barker Mike Boniol Mack Butler Videography Director Coordinator of Senior Associate Athletic Trainer Assistant Equipment Manager Asst. Athletics Director/ High School Relations Football Administration

Bo Davis Jeff Dillman Mike Ekeler Jamaal Fobbs Will Jones Asst. Strength & Asst. Strength & Defensive Graduate Assistant Intern Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Conditioning Coordinator Conditioning Coordinator

Ya'el Lofton Sharon Mangum Jack Marucci Brad Mendow Tom Moffitt Coordinator of Coordinator of Director of Athletic Training Assistant Video Coordinator Strength & Football Operations Recruiting Operations Conditioning Coordinator

Shelly Mullenix Dr. Sam Nader Shellie Roberts Ferrell Shillings Senior Associate Athletic Trainer Asst. Athletics Director/ Intern Coordinator of Assistant Equipment Manager Football Operations Defensive Operations

Tracy Smith Faye Spradley Jeff Springer Greg Stringfellow Lois Stuckey Offensive Graduate Assistant Offensive Staff Secretary Assistant Equipment Manager Equipment Manager Administrative Assistant

Jason Woodman John Wozniak Intern Intern

2006 LSU FOOTBALL BOWL MEDIA GUIDE 31