LSU Football: Defensive coordinator search update
By Zach Ragan
LSU football‘s search for a new defensive coordinator has certainly been interesting.
A couple of weeks ago, it looked like the Tigers were closing in on Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.
But that wasn’t the case.
Freeman ended up taking the defensive coordinator job at Notre Dame instead.
On Monday, the Tigers found themselves in a similar situation.
Jane Slater reported that New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen was finalizing a deal to become LSU’s new defensive coordinator.
However, it appears that report jumped the gun a bit.
Does LSU Football have a deal close with Ryan Nielsen?
Slater reported on Monday evening that there’s a dispute over whether or not Nielsen’s contract will allow him to take a job in college football.
According to Slater, the Saints are currently not signing off on Nielsen taking the job with LSU.
Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron said on WWLA on Monday afternoon that Nielsen is a “prime candidate” to become the Tigers’ next defensive coordinator.
Coach O also noted that LSU is “very close” to making a hire.
I’m not sure what all will need to get worked out with Nielsen’s contract — or if it will get worked out (NFL contracts are a lot different than college football contracts) — but it’s clear that Nielsen is the guy that Orgeron and LSU want in Baton Rouge.
It’s going to be a heartbreaker if the Tigers get this far into negotiations with a second candidate and don’t make it to the finish line.
Next. Could Joe Brady become a head coach a year too early. dark
But fortunately for LSU, there are still plenty of other quality candidates available if the deal with Nielsen isn’t able to be completed.