LSU coaching candidate heavily linked to a different SEC job

The college football coaching carousel is off and running as more than 10 teams are looking for new head coaches. The search for Brian Kelly's replacement at LSU is more than two weeks old, and the breakup between Kelly and the Tigers continues to be a circus. Kelly is now taking legal action against LSU in pursuit of being granted his full buyout of $53.3 million.

NY Giants job opening throws wrench in LSU's coaching search

The whole situation in Baton Rouge could turn top coaching candidates away despite the fact that LSU is the top job available in college football. As the coaching search moves along, one potential LSU candidate is being heavily linked to another SEC team.

Jon Sumrall is a serious contender to land the Auburn job

According to On3, Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is a serious contender and name to know for the coaching opening at Auburn. Auburn made the move to fire Hugh Freeze last weekend following a 45-38 loss to Vanderbilt. Freeze leaves Auburn with a 15-19 overall record and a 6-16 mark in SEC play.

Sumrall is in his second season at Tulane after spending two seasons at Troy. He led the Trojans to a 23-4 record and has led the Green Wave to a 16-7 record thus far. This season, Sumrall has Tulane with a 7-2 mark. His name has been featured on LSU hot boards since the day Kelly was fired, along with the likes of Lane Kiffin, Joe Brady, and Kenny Dillingham, among others.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum agrees that Sumrall has a solid chance at landing the Auburn job. Finebaum appeared on "The Matt Barrie Show" earlier this week and suggested that Sumrall is the leading candidate at Auburn.

"The betting favorite at Auburn is Jon Sumrall, the Tulane coach who held on Friday night. It’s not the hire that wows America, but if that ends up being the case, and Matt, we are speculating, I think almost every Auburn fan that I’ve talked to would be thrilled. That job is so much better than what it’s being credited for.”"

Paul Finebaum

Given his Louisiana ties and winning pedigree, Sumrall makes perfect sense for LSU. But it seems that Auburn is in heavy pursuit of his services. At this point, it would be a bit surprising to see Sumrall back at Tulane next season - it's just a matter of which team can land him in the coaching carousel.