LSU Football: Tigers could go with a young coach to replace Bo Pelini

LSU football’s search for a new defensive coordinator continues…

LSU football thought they had a new defensive coordinator on Friday.

Football Scoop reported on Friday afternoon that the Tigers were close to hiring Cincinnati’s Marcus Freeman to replace Bo Pelini as LSU’s new defensive coordinator.

And then came the announcement that Freeman was heading to Notre Dame.

The move didn’t come as a total surprise. I’ve been saying for a week that I felt like Notre Dame had a much better shot at landing Freeman than LSU.

Freeman’s midwest ties, plus a personal connection to Notre Dame (cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens played high school football with Freeman), were just too much for the Tigers to overcome. There’s really nothing else Ed Orgeron could’ve done in this situation.

Where does LSU football go from here?

I suggested on Friday evening that LSU should go hard after Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom, a coach that Orgeron reportedly “covets”.

Odom, however, appears to be happy at Arkansas. But I’d still make the call if I were the Tigers.

If Odom says no, then it’s possible that LSU could look to steal Zach Arnett from Mississippi State.

Arnett, who is only 34, appears to be a rising star in the coaching community.

The New Mexico native started his coaching career at San Diego State in 2011 as a graduate assistant. He was promoted to linebackers coach in 2014 and defensive coordinator in 2018.

Mike Leach hired Arnett away from Syracuse last winter to be Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator.

(Arnett was at Syracuse for less than two weeks last winter.)

South Carolina has shown some interest in Arnett. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer recently went to Starkville to meet with Arnett.

I don’t think Arnett is someone who will be at the top of LSU’s list. But if Odom and others decide to stay where they are, and if other names fall through, Arnett is someone who could get a look.