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LSU Football: Tigers have 2 obvious DC options after missing on Ryan Nielsen

By Zach Ragan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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LSU football‘s defensive coordinator search has turned into a bit of a spectacle (though that’s not the Tigers’ fault).

Earlier this month, LSU missed on their top target — Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who landed at Notre Dame instead.

The Tigers then turned their attention to Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett.

Arnett interviewed with Ed Orgeron, but the Bulldogs defenisve coordinator was deemed not a good fit at LSU.

Next on the list was New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen.

A deal was almost finished before contract language got in the way. Nielsen ended up getting a new contract (and a promotion) from the Saints.

So where does LSU turn now?

LSU football has two obvious options to replace Bo Pelini

I think there are two clear options for the Tigers.

The first option is getting on the phone and begging Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom to come to Baton Rouge.

We already know that Orgeron “covets” Odom. But Odom seems intent on remaining on Sam Pittman’s staff.

Money talks, though. And there’s no doubt that LSU is a better job than Arkansas (and it would help Odom in his quest to become a head coach again). I think the Tigers could convince Odom to leave Fayetteville.

The other option is Georgia co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, a great recruiter and someone who is certainly trying to climb the coaching ladder.

Leaving the “co-defensive coordinator” title behind in Athens would be an upgrade for Schumann.

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If LSU can land either Odom or Schumann, then I think this search — despite its twists and turns — will still be a smashing success.

Coach O still has time to get this right. There are good options available. But he needs to move quickly before another program (or NFL team) scoops up one of these options.

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