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It’s not unusual for football coaches to make changes, but rarely has the hiring of two new assistants been met with more excitement than when LSU head coach Les Miles added Billy Gonzales and Frank Wilson.

“It’s good to know,” Gonzales says. “And we’re excited to be here.”

Their impact has been immediate.
Wilson, who came from the University of Tennessee, was installed as recruiting coordinator. LSU had a hard-charging finish into February’s national signing day, on which it was once again declared the program had inked a great class. Wilson will also serve as running backs coach, an area in which the Tigers struggled last season.

Few hires have energized and excited a fan base as much as when Miles added Gonzales to the staff last December. He was formerly attached at the hip to Florida coach Urban Meyer (Meyer was his position coach at Colorado State, and then he followed Meyer to several schools), and they won two national championships. Now Gonzales’s arrival is seen as a huge boost to an LSU offense that struggled last season. LSU fans hope the energetic, enthusiastic and optimistic Gonzales can fix what appeared to be a disconnect between Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.

“I’m really excited to be on the same staff as Frank,” Gonzales says. “He does a great job.”

Miles also added a seasoned veteran and local guy in Steve Ensminger, a product of Central who once played quarterback for LSU, who will serve as tight ends coach.

Billy Gonzales

BILLY GONZALES

Age: 39

Playing career: 1990-1993 — Colorado State receiver and return specialist

Past jobs: MacMurray (Ill.), Kent State, Bowling Green, Utah and Florida

Quotable: “It was an opportunity to expand and continue to grow. I’m excited. I had a great run where I was at, and I leave with no regrets. But I am so pumped up about being here and working with Coach Miles.”

Notable: Both Gonzales and LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton played at Colorado State. Gonzales was on the staff at Bowling Green with LSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa under head coach Urban Meyer who was his position coach at Colorado State and for whom Gonzales worked for in Utah and Florida.

Frank Wilson

FRANK WILSON

Age: 36

Playing career: 1992 — Geneva, Pa.; 1993-1995 — Nicholls State running back and defensive back

Past jobs: Nicholls State, Karr High School, O.P. Walker High School, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Tennessee

Quotable: “I’m excited about being back home. Sometimes you have to go full circle to come back, but it’s certainly rewarding to go back and recruit in the high schools in the places I cut my teeth on in the coaching profession.”

Notable: Wilson has strong ties to his hometown of New Orleans, an advantage in recruiting.

Steve Ensminger

STEVE ENSMINGER

Age: 51

Playing career: 1976-1979 — LSU (quarterback)

Past jobs: Nicholls State, McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, Georgia, Texas A&M, Clemson, Central High School, West Monroe High School, Auburn, Smiths Station High School.

Quotable: “If you played ball somewhere you always dream about going back there. And I got that opportunity. After 28 years of coaching, I finally made it back.”

Notable: Ensminger played for legendary LSU coach Charles McClendon, leading the Tigers to three straight bowl games.