College football insider names the ‘big fish’ LSU Tigers may want if they can’t get Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss
This job search could go a lot of ways for the Tigers.
The LSU Tigers entered this season with real expectations in Brian Kelly’s fourth year leading the program. But with three losses through their first eight games, the Tigers were clearly trending in the wrong direction under Kelly — and a change was warranted.
LSU’s blowout loss to Texas A&M this past Saturday was the nail in the coffin, coming just a week after Vanderbilt defeated the Tigers. LSU will roll with Frank Wilson as its interim head coach for the rest of the season, but the upcoming coaching search will be a major one to watch. A very important decision lies ahead for the program.
Lane Kiffin is the dream hire, but who’s next for LSU?
The Tigers want to land someone with proven head coaching experience — a coach who can establish the culture and standard needed to sustain a winning program. Under Kelly, LSU showed clear cracks in its foundation, and the next coach will need to reestablish that identity. Kiffin is highly coveted by the Florida Gators as well, but it’s more likely he stays at Ole Miss than ends up at either Florida or LSU.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is another top name that major programs in need of new leadership are expected to pursue. On3’s Pete Nakos recently identified Freeman as the “next biggest fish” that LSU, Florida, and Penn State could target. The challenge for LSU, however, is that Freeman may have no interest in leaving South Bend. He’s earning $7.4 million this season and has compiled a 38–12 record since taking over for Kelly at Notre Dame.
Freeman is an impressive coach who led Notre Dame to the national championship game last season, finishing 14–2 after a loss to Ohio State. LSU just paid a $54 million buyout to part ways with Kelly, so hiring another sitting head coach would come with a hefty price tag — but that appears to be what the Tigers are prepared to do.
Other names mentioned as potential candidates for the LSU job include Kenny Dillingham, Jeff Brohm, Clark Lea, Brent Key, and Eli Drinkwitz. A crucial hire is just around the corner as the Tigers look to right the ship.
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