Welcome to yet another coaching candidate list. This list, like Florida, is not as long as my other lists but is going to consist of mostly big name candidates. And, if you haven't seen any of my others, the link will be below this paragraph:
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Quick run down of how this works: I write down some names I like, I compare it to other names I hear from articles, message boards, and whatever else I can get information. I then come up with a list of names that I like than I put them in a tier (kinda a tier, not really, need a better name for it for 2026). In that, the tier goes from biggest name or most polarizing hire, not really the most likely hire or will take the job to the most unrealistic candidates out there. If I have two in the same tier, I usually put them in the order I think is most likely or more realistic. If I have three or more, the are usually in a random order unless I specify they are in a order.
Brief history before we dive into names. Some context for some people unfamiliar with the LSU job. When Brian Kelly was hired, LSU fans knew he was stepping into not just big shoes but a very massive shoe that may never fit and will hurt his reputation. LSU has not had a head coach who won them a national championship since 1999. Everyone who came through since 2000 won one each. Saban in 2003, Les Miles in 2007, and Coach O in 2019. He showed signs that he could make it there, but stupid, unwarranted loss to Texas A&M hurt his best chance to the CFP in his first season after beating Bama a few weeks before. After that, they just went on a decline. Not the decline you would think though. They were good, not great. They were your dark horse CFP candidate and after a few weeks you're like "maybe not". It's a top five program in College Football and they finish outside of the top 10 every year since the last championship they won. Change was needed.
One last thing: The AD. The Athletic Director is Scott Woodward. He was previously the AD at Texas A&M when Jimbo Fisher was there and he gave him an astronomical contract that I believe was 10 years, $100 million when he first got there. It was then extended after he left and the reason his buyout was like $77 million. He then went to LSU and hired Brian Kelly for a massive contract as well. He is known for his big swings, who knows who he will go after next.
Shoot Your Shot
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss (2020-?)
Don't let Florida fans see this, they think this is the next head coach for the Gators. He is on the top of every school's list, and rightfully so. Look at what Ole Miss was before he got there, look at how many 10+ wins they had before getting the job, and look at Ole Miss now. He has flipped this school's script and have them a perennial top 10 each and every year. The only reason he won't take this job, or any of the others is because he is using this to get him a raise. Ask Auburn fans when they realized Lane Kiffin wasn't leaving Vaught Hemingway for Jordan Hare a couple of years ago. If they said day one, they are lying to you.
Some Top Names
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills (OC; 2023-?)
LSU fans are now having 2019 flashbacks and may be salivating over the memories just now by reading this name. A former Saints assistant who joined LSU in 2019 to fix their passing offense which was always known to be lackluster and nothing to ride home about. I feel like he did such that, Burrow has over 5,500 passing yards and the WR duo had 3,320 receiving yards combined. After LSU, he couldn't find success with Sam Darnold or Teddy Bridgewater in Carolina and instantly got after a year in a half as the OC of the Carolina Panthers. He wound up the QB coach at Buffalo and later became the OC right after they fired Ken Dorsey. He could be a NFL coach wherever he wants, but he may come home to Baton Rouge.
Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri (2020-?)
He is becoming a hot name recently after being on the verge for yet another 10 win season, this time without any of his explosive offensive talent from 2023 in Brady Cook and Luther Burden. This time, he has found success with UL Monroe tranfer Ahmad Hardy and Penn State transfer Beau Pribeula. LSU may want to snatch him and get him to revive this offense that has been very underwhelming.
Alex Golesh, USF (2023-?)
He seems destined to make the jump to the bigger job, it's just when and where. He had one of the best offenses at UCF and Tennessee as OC, went and became a head coach himself and is taking USF to higher than they expected. He started the season with back to back top 25 wins against Boise State and Florida then lost to Miami (FL), and just lost to Memphis by a missed field goal. They could still very much make it to the American Championship and win and still make the CFP. They currently have the best resume compared to everyone else in the G5. If so, this may entice LSU fans and boosters to go after him.
Jon Sumrall, Tulane (2024-?)
Like Golesh, he is destined for an upgrade, but I think we all know where he wants to be. Sumrall went to Troy years ago thinking Stoops will eventually leave Kentucky for a bigger job and he can return to his alma mater as the head coach. That bigger job didn't go as planned and Sumrall left Troy for Tulane. This may be the last straw for him. If Kentucky doesn't open up this season, he may take a bigger job now before he misses he chance. Or he pulls a Kiffin and get a massive extension.
Take Big Swings, Scott
Lincoln Riley, USC (2022-?)
Before USC hired Riley, before LSU hired Kelly, the rumor was Lincoln Riley was heading to LSU after a near loss to Texas and fans wanted him out at Oklahoma. He denied multiple times he was not taking the LSU job until November 28th when ESPN reported that Lincoln Riley was indeed leaving Oklahoma for the three letter school. USC. Some fans were relieved, some were angry. Now, here is Riley's opportunity to take the LSU job once and for all. I don't have to tell you how many Heisman's he has coached, everyone already knows he coached three. Hire Lincoln Riley and he will bring two before we enter 2030.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame (2022-?)
You hired a successful Irish coach before, why not do it again? He was allegedly on the short list last time around as he had no experience whatsoever as a head coach. Here he is with four years of experience and a CFP Finals loss to prove he can coach.
Highly Unlikely
Dabo Swinney, Clemson (2008-?)
Everyone knows who he is. A two time national champ coach who hasn't had recent success. He could want a change of scenery, but I feel like Dabo is staying at Clemson until he hangs it up.
Jimbo Fisher, former Florida State (2010-17) and Texas A&M (2018-23) Head Coach
He is familiar with the AD, and he does want back in. But, if I am a LSU fan, booster, or employee why would I want Jimbo as my next head coach? What difference does Jimbo make that Brian Kelly couldn't? He won the BCS in 2013. But that's when it was called the BCS. If you want the best of the best, stay away from Jimbo.
James Franklin, former Penn State Head Coach (2014-25)
James Franklin could probably have any job he wants, except for LSU. Same thing with Jimbo, I don't see them going after a fired coach for any reason and would most likely go after a hot name that took their team to the CFP or a top 25 ranking. Franklin is probably better off coaching somewhere like Virginia Tech where the stakes are too low and he can win 9 or 10 games and make the CFP every year.
There is my list. Let me know what your thoughts are down below in the comment section. I kinda feel like there might be a name we are not thinking that will take the job. Brian Kelly was not on anyone's list in 2021, Coach O was a joke when thought to have his interim tag removed in 2016. We just have to wait and see.