Is LSU College Football’s Top Coaching Job? Experts Weigh In

BATON ROUGE, La. – Discussions about the best head coaching jobs in college football have taken center stage, particularly after the recent firing of Brian Kelly at LSU. Former LSU All-SEC running back Jacob Hester believes LSU ranks among the top three coaching positions in the nation. “If somebody says it’s not, then they’re lying,” Hester said.

These rankings come amid speculations regarding who could take over the storied program. Nick Saban, the head coach who won a national championship at LSU in 2003, weighed in on the changing landscape of college football jobs. “What used to make a job great was facilities, fan support, good academic support, and recruiting base. Now, that has been minimized to how much money you have to spend on building a roster,” Saban told On3.

Under Saban, LSU overcame years of struggle, earning national attention. The program has since won three national championships under different head coaches, including Les Miles in 2007 and Ed Orgeron in 2019. Each of these coaches made a mark by leveraging the program’s local talent pool, a strategy that continues to appeal to prospective coaches.

“It’s a place you can and should be able to win at the highest level every single year,” said a longtime coach with ties to LSU. He emphasized that the quality of talent in Louisiana, paired with the program’s vast resources, positions LSU uniquely among elite schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.

Saban’s comments extend to the current coaching carousel, which may include Lane Kiffin, who has been linked to openings at Florida and LSU. Although Kiffin has led Ole Miss to a successful season, Saban pointed out that perceptions of available jobs have changed. “Jobs that weren’t great jobs before are now,” Saban added.

LSU’s commitment to football and the quality of high school coaching in the state were noted by various sources. Louisiana ranks high in producing NFL players per capita, with significant talent emerging from local high schools like Evangel Christian Academy.

In the context of Kelly’s firing, critics, including Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, expressed discontent with the program’s direction. The governor’s involvement has raised questions about the influence of politics on college football decisions. One FBS athletic director noted that such political investment could be beneficial for the program.

Experts predict a competitive opening should LSU decide to look for a new coach, with names like Kiffin topping the wish list. “The expectations are what they are here, and the best coaches are going to want that,” Hester said. The outcome of this search could further define LSU’s position among the elite programs in college football.