Copyright newsweek
The apparent number one choice for Brian Kelly’s replacement at LSU is, of course, Lane Kiffin. More News: College Football Coach Linked to LSU Suffers Major Upset on Thursday Night The problem with that idea is that Kiffin currently coaches the Ole Miss Rebels. Amid a potential College Football Playoff run this season, Kiffin has been connected to the job opening at Florida, among other programs. Kiffin will only be coaching at only one school in 2026, and the odds aren’t super great that he’ll be in Baton Rouge. ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 1: head coach Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils and head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns shake hands after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) More News: Colorado’s Deion Sanders Accuses Big 12 Teams of ‘Lying’ on Injury Report Matthew Brune of On3 updated his Hot Board for the Tigers coaching search. He linked Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham as an option who would be appealing to LSU because he’s an anti-Kelly candidate. “Dillingham got a big road win at Iowa State this week and seemingly continues to turn heads from a national perspective,” Brune wrote. “As we continue to get a look at what LSU wants in a head coach, I think Dillingham is a real candidate because people look at him as the opposite of Brian Kelly. “He’s 35 years old, an elite offensive mind, is creative and not afraid to make changes, and his energy has transformed Arizona State as a program. LSU is in need of a reset after Kelly and Dillingham would come in hungry and ready to work.” Dillingham is 20-15 in his third season at ASU. He went 3-9 in 2023, his first season with the Sun Devils. Arizona State made a huge turnaround under Dillingham in 2024, finishing the season 11-3, winning the Big 12 championship, and making an appearance in the College Football Playoff. It took two overtimes for Texas to get past ASU in the CFP quarterfinal in January. The Sun Devils are 6-3 this season. It’ll be interesting to see how serious LSU takes Dillingham as a candidate. He showed promise by making the CFP last season, but he did so by winning one of the weaker conferences in the Power 4. It’s also worth mentioning that he only has three years of head coaching experience. Dillingham would be a risky hire for LSU. But he’s also someone the program can land without being forced to give up a ridiculous contract before ever setting foot on the sideline to coach, something to consider with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry keeping an eye on the process. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
