What LSU football fans did not get for Christmas
By John Fye
2. We asked for a new LSU football defensive coordinator
Reflecting on the 55-49 loss to Ole Miss stirs up a lot of animosity toward the LSU football Achilles heel, the defense. Tiger fans wanted defensive coordinator Matt House launched into the sun on more than a few occasions in 2023.
We asked Santa for a new defensive coordinator, but House remains under the proverbial Christmas tree.
The LSU Tigers entered the season with defensive personnel shortfalls, especially in the secondary. However, poor coaching and scheming was to blame for House’s unit finishing 101-of-130 in FBS total defense. Such includes surrendering an average of 6.08 yards per play and 409.2 yards per game.
Aside from the numbers, there is an argument that House’s 2023 performance set the LSU football defense back in terms of player development. Harold Perkins did not have the big season we expected, and we blame Matt House. Perkins started the season lost at the inside linebacker position. House progressively moved his best pass-rusher outside, but Perkins was still dropped into coverage too much in 2023.
We also blame House for Mekhi Wingo having little impact on the season. LSU football fans had very high hopes for Wingo’s junior season in Baton Rouge, but the defensive tackle was far from dominant in seven games played. Wingo was hampered by a lower body injury for a chunk of the season, but in the game of “what if…,” we wonder, what if Wingo spent 2023 in a more competent defensive scheme?