Charleston, W.Va., is a long way from New York City's bustle, and an even longer trek from Hollywood's lights, glitter and glamour.

Perhaps that's why Charleston native Bob Starkey -- with his quiet demeanor, sprinkled with a pleasant, sometimes self-effacing humor -- has shied from the bright lights of head coaching at the Division I level.

Starkey, Louisiana State's acting head coach, writes books on basketball. If the game were a movie, he'd write the script. He wouldn't star -- he lacks the charisma and allure Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma often displays.

"I really enjoy breaking down film and going to practice everyday and teaching," he said Sunday as his Tigers prepared for today's 6 p.m. tip-off of their Elite Eight contest against Connecticut at the Save Mart Center. "The recruiting, dealing with you guys [the media], and the fundraising -- all that stuff, that's not really my cup of tea."

He clasps his hands together and sometimes shuffles them as he answers questions from the media with the knowledge he's gained from 16 seasons as an assistant coach at LSU.

Starkey may have effectively avoided the role of head coach had not former LSU coach Pokey Chatman stepped down. On March 7 she said she would leave the team after the NCAA Tournament to pursue other professional opportunities. When reports of improper conduct with a former player arose the next day, she promptly resigned.

The news hit the LSU community hard as Chatman was a rising star. The former Tigers player coached the team to Final Fours in 2005 and 2006, and Southeastern Conference titles in those same years.

Despite the upheaval, LSU is poised to reach its fourth consecutive Final Four.

Starkey said Sunday that he initially wasn't sure how his players would respond to the change. But looking back, they've inspired him more than he's inspired them, he said.

"Their attitudes have been wonderful," he said. "They come to practice every day with tons of energy. They work hard. They deal with the obstacles and media pressure with a lot of poise. I'm really lucky that under these circumstances I have this group."

Though Starkey has no head coaching experience, Auriemma said he fully expected the Tigers to succeed.

"I didn't think who's coaching or not coaching would be an issue," Auriemma said Sunday. "The reason I thought that was because they have kids who've been to Final Fours. They know the way. It's not like they need someone to show them."

The switch at the top has not come without adjustments.

Starkey had always done the team's scouting reports, so LSU lost nothing there. But he also mainly coached post players while Chatman, a former guard, stuck to the backcourt.

RaShonta LeBlanc said she and the other guards are still adjusting. Starkey has been called less abrasive than Chatman, although LeBlanc said he has been more emotional as a head coach "because he's being asked to."

Starkey has kept LSU's strategy the same to give the team "normalcy," he said.

He also wanted the Tigers to enjoy themselves during what is supposed to be one of the best times of their lives.

"[The staff] met after [Chatman's resignation] and above anything else we wanted the players to really enjoy themselves because we felt it wasn't fair to them to have to face what they were about to go through."

Starkey has cast down any thoughts of him lingering as the head coach past this season.

Guard Erica White said it wouldn't be because of his lack of knowledge.

"He's not a head coach only because he chose not to be one," White said. "Everyone knows he's great at X's and O's, but he's done a great job standing out in front of the program and dealing with the media well and directing us well. He's always been able to motivate us, but he's had to do that more lately and he's done an excellent job.

"The thing a lot of people don't know about him," White added, "is he manages the game well. He sees the game and knows when to be positive and when to get on us throughout the game. I think that's the best thing he brings to the table."

Starkey said he loves teaching the game. For example, breaking down Connecticut film the night of LSU's win over Florida State was a joy for him.

Maybe head coaching can become a joy of his, too.

If he can stand the lights.