The seventh Power Five conference head coaching opening emerged in Baton Rouge this past Sunday. LSU football announced the firing of Brian Kelly, ending his four-season tenure with the Tigers. This college football season has witnessed an unprecedented number of high-profile coaching vacancies. Notably, UCLA and Penn State represent the biggest openings available in the Big Ten, while Oklahoma State parted ways with its longtime head coach Mike Gundy. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has seen Florida, Arkansas, and now LSU all open new head coaching positions.
### Brian Kelly’s Tenure at LSU
Kelly’s time leading the Tigers was highlighted by developing one Heisman Trophy winner in Jayden Daniels. However, he struggled to replicate the sustained success he built at Notre Dame, where he amassed 113 wins. During his LSU stint, no team won an SEC title or secured a College Football Playoff spot. Despite four national championships housed inside LSU’s football facility and the program’s rich recruiting resources, the Tigers failed to reach those heights under Kelly.
### LSU: The Most Attractive Head Coaching Destination
With the coaching vacancy now official, LSU instantly becomes one of the most attractive head coaching jobs in the country. The program’s history, fan base, facilities, and fertile recruiting grounds are sure to draw big-name candidates. However, some names can be ruled out immediately. For example, Marcus Freeman remains a highly sought-after coach for Penn State, Florida, and other programs but carries a massive buyout on his Notre Dame contract. Billy Napier, despite prior success in Louisiana, also does not seem to be a contender here.
That said, the list of prospective LSU replacements features a mix of likely candidates and surprising options. Here are five names to monitor closely.
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### 1. James Franklin Enters the Picture Immediately
James Franklin remains committed to returning to coaching, a statement he reinforced on ESPN College GameDay recently. He has already been linked to the Florida job, but LSU will undoubtedly attract his interest as well. Chris Hummer of CBS Sports was quick to attach Franklin’s name to this opening, highlighting his 68% winning percentage at his last two head coaching stops. Franklin also knows the SEC well from his time turning Vanderbilt into a bowl contender.
However, some LSU fans might see echoes of Brian Kelly in Franklin’s profile, especially given his limited national championship and postseason success. Moreover, there is a faction that feels underwhelmed by Franklin’s record against top-10 opponents. Still, the chatter connecting Franklin to LSU is already gaining momentum.
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### 2. NFL Coordinator Joe Brady Linked to LSU Again
Tigers fans fondly remember Joe Brady’s aggressive offensive play-calling during the 2019 season, which culminated in Joe Burrow’s Heisman Trophy win and an unbeaten national championship run. Many LSU supporters are calling for Brady to “come home.” However, Brady is reportedly losing interest in returning to college football. At just 36 years old, he has spent his post-LSU career in the NFL and could be poised for future head coaching opportunities at the professional level. Nonetheless, his impact on LSU’s recent success earns him a mention as a potential, albeit unlikely, candidate.
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### 3. Ed Orgeron: An LSU Reunion?
Another key figure from the 2019 national championship run is the head coach from that season — Ed Orgeron. Interestingly, his last head coaching position has now reopened. Despite how LSU’s performance declined in the years following that championship, many fans still recall the positive influence “Coach O” had on the program. He could reignite recruiting enthusiasm, especially in-state. Kelly initially achieved success with much of Orgeron’s roster in place.
While there might be some lingering bitterness over how Orgeron parted ways with LSU, the 64-year-old remains the school’s last national title-winning coach. At his age, Orgeron may prefer a role with fewer expectations than LSU’s, and he is reportedly linked to openings at UCLA and Oregon State. Still, a return to Baton Rouge cannot be completely ruled out.
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### 4. Lane Kiffin: The Hottest Name for LSU
Lane Kiffin’s name has been attached to nearly every major coaching vacancy—from Florida to Penn State. Ole Miss currently appears to hold the biggest card in recruiting Kiffin, but LSU could present a more lucrative offer difficult to refuse. Kiffin’s base salary at Ole Miss is approximately $9 million with a $36.6 million buyout clause.
LSU would need to exceed that salary figure and find a way to handle the buyout to attract him. Kiffin may also recognize that LSU offers a stronger chance at winning conference and national titles. However, given his popularity in “Hotty Toddy” country, moving to LSU would be a challenging decision, and the Tigers will have to work hard to sway him.
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### 5. Jon Sumrall: Group of 5 Contender for LSU
Finally, LSU and athletic director Scott Woodward may look internally within Louisiana by targeting Tulane’s head coach Jon Sumrall. Sumrall’s name previously surfaced in discussions for North Carolina before Bill Belichick took over there. With a combined 38-10 record at Troy and Tulane, Sumrall has proven to be a rising star in coaching.
He also has deep SEC roots, having played linebacker at Kentucky and coached at both Kentucky and Ole Miss. LSU represents an enormous stepping stone for one of the nation’s fastest-rising young head coaches, and an in-state hire could energize the Tigers’ recruiting and fan base.
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### Conclusion
LSU’s coaching vacancy has instantly become one of college football’s most intriguing storylines. With rich tradition and resources, the program will attract top-tier candidates and spark intense intrigue over its next head coach. Whether it’s a proven SEC veteran like James Franklin, a daring NFL coordinator like Joe Brady, a nostalgic option like Ed Orgeron, a high-profile name like Lane Kiffin, or a rising Group of 5 star like Jon Sumrall, the Tigers’ job will be among the most highly coveted in the sport. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as this coaching search unfolds.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/5-best-brian-kelly-replacements-as-lsu-head-coach
