Latest rumors have a new LSU head coaching favorite, and the domino effect could also land them their next starting quarterback
The next LSU head coach and quarterback may both be on the market.
The LSU football head coaching search has been interesting so far, but things are about to heat up. There have already been rumors about Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss) being top targets, although the former was always a pipe dream.
For Kiffin, there appears to be at least some level of interest, as he has taken trips to both Baton Rouge and Gainesville over the last couple of days with his family. It remains to be seen if he will seriously consider leaving the Rebels amid a College Football Playoff run.
There is a newer name beginning to gain steam in that coaching search: current Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. According to BetOnline, Dillingham is now the favorite for the job at +300. While that isn’t a comfortable line, it is interesting to see names like Kiffin’s begin to trend downward despite the new information. While somewhat unconventional, Dillingham would be an intriguing potential fit with the Tigers if that was the route that both sides wanted to go.
After taking over the Sun Devils before the 2023 season, Dillingham has quickly rebuilt a once-proud program from the gutters. Following a 3-9 record in his first season in Tempe, the team has gone 18-6 over the last two seasons. That includes an outstanding 2024 season, when Dillingham led the team to 11 wins, a Big 12 championship, and a College Football Playoff berth. It was a magical year for one of the best young coaches in the country.
Before Dillingham took over at Arizona State, he had served as offensive coordinator at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon. Still only 35, Dillingham is a tremendous young head coach. Getting him away from his alma mater won’t be easy, but LSU is obviously a very appealing job.
Would Sam Leavitt come with Dillingham?
Sometimes coincidences happen, but it does feel like odd timing to see Dillingham’s name begin to gain some steam, while a report also surfaces that Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt will be eyeing opportunities in the portal. It is quite possible that those two bits of news aren’t related, but it does feel a little bit fishy. If Leavitt does opt for the Transfer Portal this off-season, he will be in very high demand.
Until Leavitt announces an intention to enter the portal, it is all speculation. If the Dillingham buzz is real, however, it will be curious to see whether that relationship steers some decisions for the talented signal caller. Leavitt had some early 2026 NFL Draft buzz, but after he suffered a season-ending foot injury earlier this season, those dreams were put temporarily on hold. It feels unlikely that he will declare with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Originally a member of the Michigan State program, Leavitt has accomplished a lot in his two years with Arizona State. So far in his Sun Devil career, the 6-3, 215-pound passer has thrown for 4,513 yards and 34 touchdowns in 20 games. Leavitt has also added another 743 yards and 10 more scores on the ground. The raw talent is very apparent every time you pop on the film.
The last time that LSU received a transfer from an Arizona State quarterback, it turned out pretty well. Seeing what Jayden Daniels did going from Tempe to Baton Rouge will undoubtedly be attractive to a talented quarterback like Leavitt. Only time will tell whether LSU has interest and whether Leavitt makes the move to another program.