LSU Football’s Coaching Carousel: What Went Wrong and Who’s Next?

Another one bites the dust in Baton Rouge. Brian Kelly, the man with the suddenly acquired Southern drawl and a boatload of buyout money, has been shown the door. After a humiliating 49-24 beatdown at the hands of Texas A&M—in Tiger Stadium, no less—the powers that be at LSU decided they had seen enough.

So, where does LSU go from here? The coaching carousel is spinning, and athletic director Scott Woodward, whose own seat might be getting a little warm, has to get this next hire right.

Who’s The Potential Long Term Hire At LSU?

1. Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss): Let’s just get this one out of the way. Kiffin is the shiny object every major program chases. He’s built Ole Miss into a consistent winner and wouldn’t have to fight for in-state talent the way he does in Mississippi. With LSU’s resources and recruiting ground, Kiffin could build a monster.

2. Jon Sumrall (Tulane): Here’s a name that makes a ton of sense. Sumrall is arguably the hottest coach outside the Power Four. He’s got deep ties to the region, knows the Louisiana recruiting landscape inside and out, and has a proven track record of winning, first at Troy and now at Tulane. He’s young, hungry, and wouldn’t need a GPS to find the best recruiting spots. The only question is whether he’s “content” at Tulane, as he’s claimed, or if the allure of the SEC’s top job is too much to resist.

3. Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri): If Kiffin says no, Drinkwitz might be the next best option within the SEC. He has taken Missouri, a traditionally tough place to win, and turned them into a respectable and competitive program. He understands the grind of the conference and what it takes to succeed.

4. James Franklin is now available after his departure from Penn State, and his stated goal is pretty clear: win a national championship “somewhere else now.” At LSU, that’s not just possible—it’s expected. Franklin got close at Penn State, taking them to the College Football Playoff semifinal last year before losing to Notre Dame. Could he finally break through at a program with more resources and better recruiting territory?

5. Matt Rhule (Nebraska) – Here’s the kicker with Rhule—you’re not just getting him, you’re potentially getting Dylan Raiola too. The five-star quarterback has described their relationship as “special” and “unique,” leading many to believe he’d follow Rhule wherever he goes. That could solve LSU’s potential quarterback problem next season when Garrett Nussmeier graduates. Heck can’t rule this out when he’s talked about interest in the Penn State job.

The Roster’s Looming Exodus

With Kelly out, the vultures are circling. Rival coaches are already blowing up the phones of LSU’s top talent. Keeping the roster intact is now priority number one.

The future of this team hangs on retaining stars like five-star freshman corner DJ Pickett, a future first-round pick if he sticks around. Can they keep massive tight end Trey’Dez Green, a 6-foot-7 matchup nightmare? What about All-SEC linebacker Whit Weeks, who now has to weigh entering the NFL draft against playing for a new coach?

This Job is Going To Be Highly Attractable

The LSU job is a certified monster. It’s the only Power Four program in a state overflowing with talent, a place where three very different personalities have reached the pinnacle of college football. But it’s also a pressure cooker that chews up and spits out coaches who can’t deliver the ultimate prize. Brian Kelly learned that the hard way. Now, the search is on for the next person willing to take on the challenge.