Could LSU Football miss on top 3 defensive coordinator candidates?

Could LSU football miss on their top three defensive coordinator candidates?

Before I get too far into this, I think it’s important to mention that I have no confirmation of who LSU football‘s top three defensive coordinator candidates are at this point.

The only person that likely knows is Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron.

And that could change, depending on how interviews go (interviews for defensive coordinator are expected to begin midweek).

However, based on various reports, I think we have a good idea of who LSU’s top targets might be.

In no particular order, I think it’s Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom and Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.

There could be a scenario where LSU football misses on all three of these candidates

Unfortunately for LSU, I can see a situation where none of these three names end up in Baton Rouge.

When it comes to Freeman, there’s been a lot of speculation that he has his eye on a head coaching job. It’s certainly possible that he waits for a head coaching opportunity.

Another potential roadblock is that Notre Dame is reportedly interested in Freeman as well (the Fighting Irish are looking for a new defensive coordinator after losing Clark Lea to Vanderbilt).

If Freeman decides to take another defensive coordinator job and it comes down to LSU and Notre Dame, I don’t like the Tigers’ chances.

Freeman grew up in the midwest. He attended Ohio State and he spent four seasons coaching in Indiana at Purdue. There’s also the Brian Kelly/Cincinnati connection. Freeman never coached at Cincinnati with Kelly, but I’m sure there are still some connections between Kelly and the Bearcats.

Now, what about the other two options?

I think we can rule Leonhard out pretty easily. He’s a Wisconsin graduate. It’s hard to imagine him leaving the Badgers for a lateral move (even though I think LSU is a better job). If Leonhard leaves Wisconsin it’s probably for a job in the NFL.

That leaves us with Odom.

I think Odom would be a tremendous hire at LSU. And Orgeron reportedly really likes the idea of adding Odom.

But Texas wants Odom, too.

And I think Odom would choose the Longhorns over LSU.

Odom is from Oklahoma. He grew up around the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry. I could easily see him choosing to go to Austin over Baton Rouge.

Texas would also probably pay better.

This is why I still believe that former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason is the best option. He’s spoken fondly of LSU recently and he has a track record of success with defenses (dating back to his Stanford days).

The fact that LSU could strike out on their top three targets and still land Mason is a good spot to be in. Regardless of what happens this week, it’s clear the Tigers have some great options.