ESPN.com is reporting LSU will name Tennessee’s defensive coordinator John Chavis as their new defensive coordinator. LSU had a job opening since co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto is leaving for the head coaching position at Northwestern State and co-defensive coordinator Doug Mallory is rumored to be leaving to New Mexico to be their new defensive coordinator.
John Chavis was available since Monte Kiffin will be taking over the defense for his son Lane at Tennessee. The hire appears to be a great selection for LSU as you examine the numbers this year. Tennessee ranked 3rd in the SEC in points allowed and 2nd in yards allowed. Tennessee also ranked 11th in points and 3rd in yards in the nation. The defense was very good considering Tennessee had a losing season. Compared to LSU, Chavis defense was far better this season. LSU ranked 9th in points in the SEC(36th in the nation) and 11th in points(65th in the nation).
We wanted to know if this was a usual year between Tennessee and LSU’s defense. We knew LSU had some incredible defensive seasons and wanted to compare the last four years. Here is what we found:
2007 Season
SEC total points: Tennessee 10th, LSU 2nd
SEC total yards: Tennessee 11th, LSU 1st
2006 Season
SEC total points: Tennessee 8th, LSU 1st
SEC total yards: Tennessee 9th, LSU 1st
2005 Season
SEC total points: Tennessee 6th, LSU 4th
SEC total yards: Tennessee 6th, LSU 2nd
2004 Season
SEC total points: Tennessee 7th, LSU 3rd
SEC total yards: Tennessee 7th, LSU 2nd
This is a no-brainer hire if you just look at the 2008 season however looking deeper into the numbers it looks like the LSU Tigers might not be upgrading on their defense. Tennessee hasn’t even been close to LSU’s defensive numbers between 2004-2007. Perhaps John Chavis will bring new energy to the defensive side of the ball but LSU fans should be concerned if they will return to their defensive dominance.
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