My Top Three Candidates for the LSU Head Coaching Job

By Justin Broussard

Before we get into this, let me be clear — this isn’t “inside information” or a scoop about who LSU is pursuing. These are simply my top three choices for who I’d like to see considered for the opening

And just to be honest — if anyone out there is telling you they know who LSU’s top candidate is right now, they’re probably lying to you. I don’t believe LSU is that far along in the process yet. But that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead and talk about some of the best fits for the job.

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1A. Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss Head Coach

Lane Kiffin is likely at the top of most major openings this offseason. What he’s done at Ole Miss deserves a ton of credit. He’s brought stability to a place that historically hasn’t had much of it, and he’s turned the Rebels into a consistent 9–10 win team in the nation’s toughest conference.

Kiffin is an elite talent evaluator and knows how to get the most out of what he has. He’s proven that at Ole Miss, where he’s developed under-the-radar recruits into high-level SEC contributors. The truth is, his ceiling at LSU would be much higher.

At Ole Miss, he might sneak into playoff contention once every few years. At LSU, with championship-level resources, recruiting access, and facilities, Kiffin could be a perennial contender for National Championships. He brings swagger, confidence, and a high-powered offense that resonates with today’s players. Combine that with LSU’s brand, and you’ve got a coach who could win big — and win quickly.

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1B. Josh Heupel – Tennessee Head Coach

On the Josh Heupel front, you get a similar profile to Kiffin — a dynamic offensive mind. In fact, I think Heupel might have the better offense of the two. His system is fast, explosive, and incredibly difficult to defend.

Where he differs is in tempo. Heupel’s offense operates at one of the fastest paces in the country, and that can make it hard to maintain a great defense. When you’re scoring or going three-and-out that quickly, your defense is back on the field more often and tends to give up more points.

All in all, though, I believe either Heupel or Kiffin would be a home-run hire for LSU. Both have proven they can win in the SEC, both know how to build elite offenses, and both could thrive with the talent base and resources LSU provides.

The two offensive masterminds are my top choices because with either one, you know the offensive side of the ball will be figured out every year. Young offensive coordinators are often the first to get poached for head coaching jobs, so having a head coach who already runs the offense creates long-term stability. It means you’re really only replacing defensive coordinators — and that’s much easier to manage.

Simply put, hiring an elite offensive head coach that can call plays gives you continuity, identity, and stability — three things every championship program needs.

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3. Glenn Schumann – Georgia Defensive Coordinator

However, my third choice would be Glenn Schumann, the defensive coordinator from Georgia. While Georgia’s defense has slipped slightly this year, it’s important to remember how much they’ve lost to the NFL Draft. Even with that kind of turnover, they remain one of the best defensive units in the nation — a testament to Schumann’s ability to coach and develop talent.

What I really like about Schumann is his background. He’s spent nearly two decades working under two of the greatest defensive minds in the sport — Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. He spent 2008-2015 at Alabama with both Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. He then followed Kirby to Athens and has been there since 2016 up to this point. When you look at the success that’s come out of those coaching trees, it makes Schumann an incredibly intriguing candidate.

Glenn Schumann 2023 CFP

And let’s be honest — to last that long on both Saban’s and Smart’s staffs, to continuously be promoted, and for Kirby to think highly enough of him to bring him along to Athens — that says a lot about his respect level and coaching ability. Those programs don’t keep people around unless they can flat-out coach and add real value.

He’s got deep SEC roots, understands the recruiting terrain, and would bring a tough, hard-nosed approach to Baton Rouge. The time he’s spent learning from Saban and Smart has given him a blueprint for how to build not just a defense, but a program.

Schumann has shown he can both develop and recruit elite players, putting multiple guys into the NFL while maintaining Georgia’s championship standard. I believe he has what it takes to build a roster the right way and get LSU trending back toward title contention.

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Final Thoughts

LSU doesn’t just need a good coach — it needs the right coach. Someone who understands the expectations, the pressure, and the passion that come with this job.

Lane Kiffin would bring swagger and a proven offensive identity. Josh Heupel would deliver an explosive, modern system that could light up Death Valley on Saturday nights. Glenn Schumann would bring toughness, discipline, and a defensive culture that could restore LSU’s physical edge.

Whoever it ends up being, the next head coach of LSU will have the keys to one of the best jobs in college football — a place where you can recruit with the best, compete for titles, and build a legacy that lasts.

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