It's Decision Time for Les Miles and the 2010 LSU Football Team

Picture from www.Tigerdroppings.com by user jwall3.

I am arguably the biggest LSU Football fan this side of the Mississippi! Ok, so I'm sure I would be challenged on that front, but I am a huge LSU Football fan. Since the 2000 season and the emergence of my favorite (hottest) football coach Nick Saban, I have faithfully followed the LSU Tigers. I'll admit, when Nick said he was leaving for Miami I cried. Sad day...

Fast forward Monday, October 2005. After experiencing the worst hurricane/natural disaster in our countries history as a young freshman, I entered LSU's Tiger Stadium to take my place not only an LSU Football fan, but now as a student! Teachers canceled classes and tailgating traditions were altered to fit a Monday Night in Tiger Stadium. It would also be Les Miles's first game in Tiger Stadium. Les and I were the true freshman that night. He learned a tough lesson that in the SEC you go for jugular every down and I learned that my favorite Tigers would lose every now and then.

Fast forward to 2010. After a successful run and win at the 2007 BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana (I was there), we have arrived at the crossroad, intersection, diversion canal, whatever you would like to call it but it is DECISION TIME. After numerous errors, time clock management issues and failure to ignite the most talented offense in the country, this weekend will determine the future of LSU Football under Les Miles. Rumors are swirling that Les is done anyway after this season and the alumni have raised the funds necessary to sever his contract. Whether this is true or not, the LSU vs. Florida game will either provide LSU the platform to emerge as a team that's just been struggling to put it all together or a weak team with even weaker leaders.

Florida will come out for blood after their disappointing performance in Bear Bryant Stadium and unfortunately our Tigers will be on the receiving end of their frustration. All I can do is strongly advise Coach Miles to let the quarterback call the plays (these kids are talented let them play ball) and somebody put the biggest fricking clock in the world on the LSU sideline and have it synced to the stadium time clock.

Or better yet, I like the idea of Les Miles's new Asst. Coach!

Why Mass Comm Students Must Learn Social Media Now!

Two weeks ago, I returned to my alma mater to speak to undergraduate Mass Comm students about the evolution of our industry. At the Louisiana State University (@lsu ), the Journalism college offers a wide range of concentrations including Political Communication (my degree program), Print Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations. The student I addressed are at the beginning of their long journey through the Manship School of Mass Communication . However, their enlightened professor Roxanne Dill recognized that social media will play a direct role in the future careers of her young students. I could not agree more.

The fact is every facet of the communications world now requires (or at least highly recommends) a social media component. I told the students "why we communicate as not changed!" Instead, "how we communicate has changed!" By the time the graduating class of 2013/2014 enters into the communications job market, social media will be in full onslaught swing.

Most, if not all, journalist will tease their next day print story with tweets about their investigations. In turn, after the story hits news stands they will use Facebook and blogs to tell the rest of the story that didn't get past the copy editors desk. Print journalist may use a small video camera to capture clips of their story research and build video clips that can be published online.

During one of my talks with students, I held up the LSU Daily Reveille, a student publication. On the front page was a story about the resurgence of New Orleans street bands and music. I explained...

"Now hear is a great story for print. It talks about something that is very important to the people of Louisiana and New Orleans, music. Now imagine if the same camera that took this great photo, also recorded video clips of the same band playing on the street corner. Let's say in the story conclusion, the reporter directs the reader to the LSUReveille.com website and there the reader can download iTunes clips from the artists and view a video of them performing. Now instead of just being a print journalist, I've added value to the newspaper website and increased interest in my story."

Of course, college is the perfect time to experiment with what's right and what's wrong, but that's just the first step. I encouraged the students to think beyond the boundaries of their particular field. Facts suggest, almost 200,000 students graduate each year with a degree in communications. My wish for LSU graduates is that they know how to "add value" to their particular field by being innovative and versatile!

Here is a recap from the Manship School of Mass Communication website, Dill and Whitney Breaux Team Up for Social Media.

I might be speaking to more students about social media in the near future, what would you recommend I advise them to do?