Now that LSU decided to pull the trigger and move on from Brian Kelly, the Tigers now have the best job available in the Power Four for 2026. LSU may have to pay Kelly a boatload in buyout money, but the never-ending frustration of a bad fit in Baton Rouge is no more. His family never got started... So while everyone is piling on Kelly being out after LSU's 5-3 start to the season, who could replace him?
Joe Brady could be the prodigal son returning to LSU, but the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator feels like a strong candidate to lead an NFL team next year. This looks to be one of the weakest coaching candidate pools in the NFL in quite some time. Brady might get his pick of the litter. As we look across the landscape, a few names are standing out. Will it be Lane Kiffin, Dan Lanning or ... Eliah Drinkwitz?
For as much as Kiffin and Lanning could have success leading the Bayou Bengals, there is something about Drinkwitz that is a bit more intriguing. Kiffin could come to LSU, but he has Ole Miss humming. Plus, he might be a Florida man at his core. As for Lanning, it seems like he will eventually make his way back to the SEC, but the timing of it all to leave Oregon does not feel right. He may regret this...
As for Drinkwitz, he not only has Missouri operating at peak efficiency, but is ready for this moment.
Eliah Drinkwitz might be the perfect choice for LSU to replace Brian Kelly
There is a lot at play here, but Drinkwitz just might be the best, and honestly perfect, option for LSU. He is a known commodity at Missouri. One could argue that he has Mizzou operating at or near peak levels of operation currently. Nobody is going to blame him for the Tigers fading down the stretch with Beau Pribula out for the year. Matt Zollers is immensely talented, but he is only a true freshman.
The other big thing that would make him a great choice for the Tigers is who he would have available to coordinate this team. He could conceivably retain Blake Baker to be in charge of this defense. After all, Baker left CoMo when he heard Baton Rouge calling. With Joe Sloan out, Drinkwitz could just bring with him Kirby Moore to serve as his offensive coordinator. Coaching staff continuity will be key here.
And finally, Drinkwitz will have options. One would think he would be a candidate for at least four the current head-coaching vacancies in Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Penn State. He may be an Arkansas native, but that is the worst job. Florida could be a fit, but Kiffin is more likely to go there than him. Plus, another noted Power Four visor enthusiast went to school at Florida in Washington's Jedd Fisch.
Penn State could be a good fit, but Drinkwitz has been a southeastern guy through and through. He coached at Appalachian State previously. He also cut his teeth as an assistant on the 2010 Auburn staff that also featured Gus Malzahn. Auburn may be Drinkwitz's dream job, but it may not open up. So in a way, LSU may want to beat Auburn to the punch in this three-team tie for this Tiger head coach.
Overall, Drinkwitz might only turn LSU down if Auburn became available. It is not as good of a job as LSU, but we should understand the sentimental attachments he may have for live down on The Plains. It is not his alma mater, but it is close. Regardless, Drinkwitz has shown in his coaching career that he will use every program's available resource to his advantage. He would have LSU back in the playoff.
Give if a year or two, but LSU could be a top-eight team in the country if Drinkwitz was in charge.