On Monday, the rumors were quickly put to rest that Matt McMahon may be put on the hot seat as Shea Dixon of On3's The Bengal Tiger revealed that Matt McMahon will be back in 2025 and that LSU will increase its NIL Budget after being one of the lowest spenders in the SEC this season.
NEW: LSU is sticking with head basketball coach Matt McMahon, @Sheadixon reports🐯
— On3 (@On3sports) February 17, 2025
The school plans to increase its NIL budget after being one of the lowest spenders in the SEC this season...
Story: https://t.co/hFf6gFIH1h pic.twitter.com/WpXObkmyKx
At his Press Conference, Matt McMahon was asked about the report and took the moment to point out that he appreciates the support.
"I've always been incredibly appreciative of the support that I've received here. It's an absolute honor and privilege to get to coach at a place like LSU with the tradition, the history, the star power over the years. "Matt McMahon
The move quickly ends any talks that the Tigers may move on from Matt McMahon while allowing the program to move forward without the lingering thought that the program is dealing with instability. When the Tigers fell to 1-8 in SEC Play we said that Matt McMahon needed to engineer an offseason like Brian Kelly's which McMahon will now have the chance at doing.
Brian Kelly told the media before the end of the season that the Tigers were going to bring in the biggest transfer portal class that the team has under his tenure. Kelly then pledged to match all NIL donations up to $1,000,000 leading to the team raising over $3,000,000. The result was Brian Kelly bringing in one of the best transfer classes in the Country.
Matt McMahon will now need to put together the transfer portal approach that Brian Kelly was able to succeed with. This offseason, LSU loses Cam Carter, Jordan Sears, Dji Bailey, and the Tigers may lose Daimion Collins and Jalen Reed to the NBA. The transfer portal could hit LSU's roster further as other schools may pick at LSU's promising young players.
During his Press Availability, Matt McMahon spoke about the importance of the transfer portal and the recruiting class LSU has coming in.
"We're gonna keep working to fight every day and get better. I love the recruiting class we were able to sign in the early period and we all know the importance of the transfer portal as you look at college athletics here in 2025."Matt McMahon
This offseason, LSU will need to go shopping at the top of the market to bring in the elite talent that the rest if the SEC has. Cam Carter has been a star for LSU and was ranked the 119th best transfer in the class, Jordan Sears ranked 131st, and Dji Bailey ranked 260th. The Tigers need to target a higher caliber player and they'll need to add more than three pieces this offseason.
LSU has put a plan in place but, executing the plan will take a different level of urgency from the program. The entire fanbase will be judging the program based on its activity in the transfer portal which raises the stakes quite a bit.