Nobody knows what the LSU offense could have been with former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, but it’s abundantly clear now to Tigers’ head coach Ed Orgeron that he made a mistake hiring him last offseason.

When LSU stole Canada away from Pitt last offseason, it was seen by many as a coup. Canada was coming off a season in which he was a Broyles Finalist, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach, and yet Orgeron didn’t seem to know what he was getting in his now-former assistant.

Orgeron opened up about the process Monday at SEC media days, telling reporters Canada wasn’t the right fit.

“Oh, I get you. Here’s the deal. It’s tough when you make a mistake, but it’s even tougher not to admit you made a mistake and it’s just not a good fit,” Orgeron admitted during his time at the main podium at SEC Media Days. “And I had to do the best what I thought was for the LSU program, and that’s why I did it.”

For those who don’t remember, the first signs of a rift between the two came after the loss to Troy when Orgeron essentially blamed the Tigers’ offense. From that point on, the relationship appeared strained and ended in a mutual parting of ways after the Citrus Bowl with the Tigers paying out $1.7 million.

Former interim offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger was eventually named to the position on a permanent basis, which Orgeron hopes will work out for the better in the upcoming season.

“Circumstances were different when I got the job. I went out and tried to get the best coordinator in the league, and possible for our football team it didn’t work. And all the while I was saying: ‘You know what? Steve Ensminger is the guy, and if I have a chance, I’m going to hire him,'” Orgeron said of his new offensive coordinator.

“I have complete confidence in the direction that he’s going to lead this offense. He and I are on the same page.”

The two men have a tough task on their hands with a quarterback battle looming during fall camp between Justin McMillan, Lowell Narcisse, Myles Brennan and transfer Joe Burrow. The Tigers offense averaged 203.5 yards passing and 207.6 yards rushing per game last season, which ranked No. 54 among all Division I teams.