LSU Football: Another head coach option could soon be off the board
By Zach Ragan
On Saturday, I wrote that LSU football should no longer consider Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin as a potential replacement for Ed Orgeron.
It’s unclear whether or not Franklin was a legitimate option for LSU. But at this point, it’s clear that Franklin wouldn’t be much of an upgrade over Orgeron (he might even be a downgrade, though that’s debatable).
Now it appears that another option for LSU could be removed from the hot board.
And it’s a coach that some Tigers fans have been hoping to see hired at LSU.
Remove Mel Tucker from LSU football hot board?
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is a hot name in the college football world right now.
Tucker has the Spartans at 9-1 this season with a legitimate shot at the College Football Playoff.
The former Wisconsin defensive back has an impressive resume that includes a stint as the Jacksonville Jaguars interim head coach, plus working under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.
Tucker would make sense for LSU since he was an assistant coach in Baton Rouge in 2000.
But Tucker might soon be unavailable.
According to a report from Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd, Tucker is close to signing a contract extension at Michigan State.
I’m told Mel Tucker & MSU are close to a new deal. Negotiations are friendly and moving quickly. This isn’t Colorado. MSU is all in on football. Contract offer is huge. Reminder, Dan Gilbert is billionaire alum. He and donor Mat Ishbia all in.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) November 13, 2021
Tucker could still leave after signing an extension, but it certainly makes it more difficult.
Plus, it would be a terrible look for Tucker to sign an extension and then leave.
This is probably a good indication of how Tucker is thinking. It appears he wants to use LSU’s interest to get a big raise from Michigan State (it’s that time of year).
Next. Ed Orgeron throwing shade?. dark
I can’t say that I blame him.
LSU will likely have to look to other candidates.