LSU Football: Defensive coordinator option officially off the board for Tigers

One of LSU football’s defensive coordinator options is officially off the board.

LSU football‘s defensive coordinator list got a little shorter on Tuesday.

That’s because Arkansas Razorbacks defensive coordinator Barry Odom is staying put in Fayetteville.

Whole Hog Sports reported the news on Tuesday.

From Whole Hog Sports:

"Sources with knowledge of the decisions told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Tuesday that University of Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom and strength and conditioning coach Jamil Walker both intend to remain with the Razorbacks for a second season."

LSU football still has plenty of options

I’m a bit surprised that Odom is staying put at Arkansas, but it just shows how much belief he has in Sam Pittman as a head coach.

Earlier on Tuesday, I wrote that I didn’t expect Odom to land at LSU because I felt like Texas had a better shot to land him. Odom is an Oklahoma native and Texas has plenty of money to offer.

Odom is a candidate that Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron reportedly coveted.

However, it appears that Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was higher on Orgeron’s list even before the news broke that Odom would be remaining at Arkansas.

Unfortunately for LSU, they’re not alone in their pursuit of Freeman.

Notre Dame is also interested in hiring the former Ohio State linebacker. Freeman is from the midwest and coached for six years in Indiana at Purdue, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he picks the Fighting Irish over the Tigers. Freeman could also wait and pursue a head coaching gig (which is obviously his ultimate goal).

Orgeron is hoping to have a hire made by this weekend. I’d expect things to move very quickly over the next several days.