Why LSU Football should stay away from Matt Campbell

LSU football is reportedly down to three candidates to replace outgoing head coach Ed Orgeron.

According to a report from Outkick.com’s Glenn Guilbeau, the Tigers are down to Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Baylor’s Dave Aranda, and Louisiana’s Billy Napier.

Of course, during the coaching carousel, all reports should be taken with a grain of salt until a contract is signed.

However, this is the latest information out there that’s being reported. So for now, we have to assume that one of these three options will be the Tigers’ next head coach (again, unless Scott Woodward has something up his sleeve….which is certainly possible).

Of these options, I like Campbell the least. In fact, I think LSU should stay far, far away from Campbell.

Why LSU football shouldn’t hire Matt Campbell

Campbell has done a nice job at Iowa State, a program where it’s historically tough to win games.

The former Mount Union defensive lineman took over at Iowa State in 2016 after spending five seasons as Toledo’s head coach.

Campbell’s first year was ripe with growing pains — the Cyclones won only three games. Things have turned around since that first season, though, as Iowa State hasn’t had a losing season since Campbell’s first year in Ames. His best year was in 2020 when the Cyclones went 9-3.

If Campbell can win 7-9 games a year at Iowa State, he should be able to win 10-12 games a year at LSU.

But success at Iowa State doesn’t necessarily translate to success at LSU.

Campbell has spent almost his entire football career in the midwest. He has no southern ties. He has no understanding of the landscape of the SEC. There’s no way he’s prepared to run a program like LSU.

And that’s not even the main reason I think the Tigers should stay away from Campbell.

The big reason LSU needs to stay away from Campbell is because of his corny personality and his lack of a killer instinct.

Any coach at a Power-5 program should have a goal of winning a conference championship every year.

That’s apparently not the case for Campbell.

Check out his response to a recent question about “season goals”.

Can you imagine Campbell giving that response at an LSU press conference after not winning the SEC West? That wouldn’t go over well with Tigers fans (nor should it).

I just don’t think Campbell is cut out for the SEC. He seems like a great coach, but that doesn’t mean he’s a good fit in Baton Rouge.