Ever since the hammer came down and Les Miles was let go from the program, Twitter has been abuzz with rumors on who the Tigers would target as a replacement.
The darlings of the coaching world, such as Houston coach Tom Herman and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, have resurfaced after initially breaking ground within LSU’s rumor mill last fall when Miles was nearly fired.
The new names on the block? Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and former Baylor coach Art Briles.
Petrino might have the worst character of any coach in college football. He’s been involved in multiple scandals, including a motorcycle wreck with a 25-year-old former Arkansas volleyball player as his passenger while he was the Razorbacks’ coach.
That isn’t the only thing contributing to Petrino’s infamy. He’s been known to sign major extensions, only to leave a year later (ask Louisville).
And Briles? He would be a public relations nightmare after several Baylor officials resigned — or were fired, in Briles’ case — after an investigation revealed they did not take action on alleged rapes and sexual assaults.
Both fans and the athletic administration are going to have particular criteria for a new head coach. LSU fans, without a doubt, are looking for someone who can provide championships. Success. An open offense. A victory versus Alabama.
Honestly, Tiger fans want it all.
The administration is going to want someone who will run a tight ship.
Both, most importantly, someone who can re-invent LSU’s offense from 12 seasons of toss dive to anything but.
Herman should be at the top of LSU’s list, though he’s certainly on the radar for any team expecting a vacancy. The 41-year-old coach is 17-1 in a season-and-a-half as Houston’s head coach. He took the job after leading Ohio State’s offense to a National Championship win using the second- and third-string quarterbacks.
Offensively, Herman is LSU’s dream. This season, Herman’s team ranks 20th in total offense, 13th in rushing offense, 44th in passing offense and 10th in scoring offense.
Herman’s defense hasn’t been too shabby either. Houston ranks 8th in rushing defense (nine spots ahead of LSU), 20th in scoring defense (21 spots ahead of LSU) and first in turnovers gained (LSU is not ranked in the top 50).
Herman’s players have been quoted as his biggest fans. Herman loves his players, too.
That says something, yes?
“Love, you know that’s not the word we’re talking about,” Herman said. “You know, ‘Love you, bro.’ That ain’t it. It’s I’ll kiss you on the cheek, squeeze you real tight and tell you that you have my heart in your hands, brother. Not ‘Love you, bro.’”
The only real snag with Herman is that he will be highly sought after.
If the University of Texas cuts ties with coach Charlie Strong, there’s a good chance Herman will be on the short list. Believe it or not, LSU doesn’t stand much of a chance in a bidding war with a school that has more money than God.
There’s also the chance Houston moves into the Big 12, which would make staying with the Cougars a more attractive option for Herman.
If Herman isn’t available, the Tigers should seriously consider keeping interim coach Ed Orgeron around. He isn’t an offensive genius by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a quality recruiter and a fiery personality with a promise to change what was LSU’s former offense under Cam Cameron and Miles for the better.
Orgeron’s record as a head coach is not great, going 10-25 in three years as the Ole Miss coach and 6-2 as the USC interim head coach. But players seem to like him, and there are few men who epitomize the spirit of Louisiana and LSU as well as Coach O.
Depending on how his “audition” goes, LSU administrators would be fools not to consider him. He’s promised major changes to the offense this season, but we’ll have to see how it turns out before he’s mentioned as a serious contender for one of the most talent-rich jobs in the SEC West.
Outside of those two, there are a couple of other attractive options. Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm has proven he could do a lot with marginal talent. So far this year, his offense ranks fourth in passing offense, third in scoring offense and ninth in total offense.
Last season, Brohm’s offense dropped 428 yards of total offense against LSU.
Defensively, Brohm’s team ranks 24th in red zone defense, but there aren’t too many other bright spots on that side of the ball. If LSU keeps its star-studded defensive staff, it could work out.