LSU Football Coaching Search Heats Up
All eyes are on Death Valley as the LSU Tigers embark on a quest for a new head football coach. While there’s still the possibility of Ed Orgeron making a return, the interim athletic director, Virge Ausberry, has been taken off the list of candidates.
Among the names floated, Nick Saban has surfaced as a potential option. Interestingly, rumors were ignited by LSU alum and Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. He mentioned that he had “heard through word of mouth” about discussions involving Saban possibly returning to the sidelines.
“It would be great to bring Nick back,” O’Neal expressed. Yet, Ausberry seems to have dismissed those speculations. He noted, “Nick Saban and I talk probably every two or three weeks. We’re good friends, and I respect him a lot. He jokes about not coming back, saying Miss Terry wouldn’t allow it. If he were interested, I’d probably drive out and pick him up myself.”
Meanwhile, Saban’s storied tenure with Alabama, which includes six national titles, has made headlines. But let’s not forget, his first national championship came with LSU, where he coached from 2000 to 2004 before an unsuccessful NFL stint with the Miami Dolphins led him back to college football and ultimately to Alabama.
Speaking on ESPN’s “College Gameday,” Saban reflected on what it means for a program like LSU to maintain its competitive edge amidst the ever-evolving landscape of college football. He pointed out, “External factors are always changing. Things like the transfer portal and how schools handle player payments—those are crucial. Are traditional jobs like LSU adapting well to keep their status?”
Saban insists he has no plans to return to coaching. As for Brian Kelly, he was dismissed after a rocky season, having started strong but suffering losses against tougher opponents. Ending his LSU career with a 34-14 record, he failed to secure a College Football Playoff berth and his departure followed that of athletic director Scott Woodward.
Woodward resigned amid declining support, including from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who made it clear he wouldn’t back the choice for the next head coach. With Saban likely out of the picture, LSU fans—and college football enthusiasts—are left waiting to see what direction the Tigers will take in filling this crucial vacancy.
