Coaching search: Report names B1G coach as target for LSU job
The expectation within college football circles is that coaching jobs will fly fast and furious this offseason. Nine programs have already announced a change—with 2 of those already finding their new guy.
Arguably the biggest job on the market, LSU, is sitting and waiting for someone. The Tigers announced in October that coach Ed Orgeron would not be returning at the end of the year. Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reported this week the dream hire and top target for the Tigers and AD Scott Woodward would be Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher.
CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reported a different name this week: Mel Tucker.
Dodd wrote two sections in his piece: who LSU should hire, and who LSU will hire. Tucker was the answer for both.
“It’s simple math for a coach who has yet to complete a second season in the big chair: Michigan State was a better job than Colorado, and LSU is a better job than Michigan State,” Dodd wrote for why Tucker makes sense. “In fact, LSU is one of the best in the country. Tucker might not be the home run hire some expect from athletic director Scott Woodward, but think of Tucker as a lot like Steve Sarkisian last year when he was hired by Texas: He’s the best name left on the board that LSU can get. (The Tigers would obviously be hoping for a better starting record than 4-5, of course.)
On why he thought they would end up bringing Tucker aboard, Dodd wrote the following:
“Sure, James Franklin is a favorite, but he probably won’t pass muster as Penn State’s season is trending toward 7-5. Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell is not a fit considering his Ohio-based background. That leaves Tucker, an SEC veteran who coached defensive backs for Nick Saban for one year in 2000. Word on the street is that Tucker will accept an interview if contacted. Tucker is a studious, fast-rising talent who could quickly get LSU back on top.”
The Spartans currently sit at 8-1 on the year (5-1 in the Big Ten) and at No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings. After a 2-5 record in his first season at the helm, Tucker has the Spartans on pace to hit double-digit wins for the first time since 2017.
Michigan State will look to bounce back from a loss to Purdue last week when it hosts Maryland (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) on Saturday. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on FOX.