Chavis, others ready to shore up LSU ‘D’

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jan 17, 2009 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Friday was a day of official renewal for the LSU football team’s defense.

And you didn’t have to search hard to unearth some optimism from the three new LSU defensive coaches, who were introduced to the media who cover the Tigers for the first time.

New defensive coordinator John Chavis talked about being optimistic, excited and intrigued. Several times he alluded to how strong the chance to win championships was in the draw to come to LSU.

Ron Cooper, the new secondary coach, took a run at coaching up two reporters when they asked him about what needed to be fixed in the defensive backfield. He vowed the new coaches won’t flinch at the challenge they face to remedy a proud LSU defense that took plenty of lumps in 2008.

Brick Haley, now in charge of LSU’s defensive line, talked about the “wow” feeling he had when he pulled up to Tiger Stadium and gushed about the old lady’s intimidation factor.

Now, with the media responsibilities officially out of the way, it’s time for the three new architects the defense to get to work restoring a swagger that was hard to find in 2008.

And there was time to talk about that as well Friday.

Chavis will be the ringleader of the restructured staff, and he saw plenty to like from the Tigers’ 38-3 smackdown against Georgia Tech on New Year’s Eve in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

“There are going to be new schemes, with some things different and some things the same,” said Chavis, who oversaw Tennessee’s defense the last 14 years. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get everybody on the same page. But in terms of getting them to compete and in terms of having athletes that can compete in the SEC, I think we’re in good shape.”

When LSU head coach Les Miles introduced Chavis, he again referred to an impressive résumé that is highlighted by several seasons when the Volunteers were among the nation’s best defenses.

In case Miles had any buyer’s remorse, he said those thoughts were quelled when he went out on the recruiting trail shortly after Chavis was pegged as LSU’s new defensive leader.

“I can tell you that John’s reputation has preceded him,” Miles said. “I can’t tell you how many high school coaches and people on the perimeter came out of the woodwork to say ‘You hired the right guy’ and how much his reputation will add to what we’re building here at LSU.”

A large chunk of Chavis’ reputation is an energetic, no-nonsense approach with players and he made it clear that approach remains the same.