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3 worst head coach hires in LSU basketball history

LSU is a football school at heart, so keeping quality coaches around is hard when the fanbase cares more about football than basketball. LSU has been successful in basketball before, but here are some coaches that couldn't get it done with the Tigers.

By Ericka Brockish

Mar 4, 2017; Starkville, MS, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Johnny Jones shouts during the first half of the game against Mississippi State.
Mar 4, 2017; Starkville, MS, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Johnny Jones shouts during the first half of the game against Mississippi State. / Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
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LSU has had 23 coaches in its men's basketball history. Only six coaches, including current head coach Matt McMahon, have or had records under .500. For a school that is 100% a football school, I would say that is not bad.

Don't worry Tiger fans, McMahon is not on this list, but I think it is fair to say his seating is warming up due to how his teams have faired since he took over. He has done better this season than last but is a small and slow increase by standards.

Also, Will Wade will not appear on this list, even though I gave it serious thought. He had a great record at LSU, but he also had great controversy with the NCAA. Wade was investigated for numerous recruiting allegations after he was caught speaking with a recruit about an offer made to him through an FBI wiretap. Wade was suspended by the University and then later lifted his suspension with heavy stipulations.

Wade led the Tigers to the SEC championship game in 2021 and an NCAA Tournament appearance. In March of 2022 however, Wade was fired due to the allegations and investigations. So while he may have won a lot of games on the court, he was not the best hire due to the controversy he brought the program.

90-72 overall record. Johnny Jones. 2012-2017. 3. player. . Johnny Jones. 529. LSU MBB.

Now this one may confuse Tiger fans, but I do have a reason for it. In his first season with LSU, Johnny Jones went 19-12 and 9-9 in the SEC but did not get selected to March Madness. The following season, while the Tigers improved thier overall record to 20-14, they still went only 9-9 in the SEC and missed out on the NCAA Tournament but did get an invite to the NIT. LSU only made it to the second round.

Jones then had his best season in 2014-2015 when he led his team to a 22-11 record and 11-7 in the SEC. Even though LSU finally had a tournament appearance under Jones, they were upset in the first round by NC State, thus ending their championship run.

Things began to go downhill from there for the Tigers under Jones. LSU still had a solid season in 2015-2016 with a 19-14 record going 11-7 in the SEC, but they did not get a bid to March Madness. Then came the season that was Jones's final nail in his coaching coffin at LSU. The Tigers fell big going 10-21 and 2-16 in the SEC.

Even though his final season was the worst season by the Tigers under Jones, fans and analysts would say the 2015-2016 season was more of a disappointment as that seemed like the team that could do it all. with Ben Simmons on the roster, the Tigers were favored to do big things and ended up falling in the first round of the tournament.

Jones was fired in March 2017 after LSU finished SEC play and was replaced by Will Wade.

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