Skip to content

Top 5 candidates to replace Les Miles at LSU

Troy Taormina / USA TODAY Sports

LSU is left with a gaping void at the head coaching position after deciding to fire Les Miles on Sunday after a 2-2 start to the season.

While defensive line coach Ed Orgeron is set to take over on an interim basis, there is likely to be a thorough search for an established coach to reinvent the struggling Tigers and lead them back to glory.

Here are five likely candidates who could be seen as fit to take hold of the reins at LSU.

Tom Herman - Houston HC

Tom Herman is no stranger to Power 5 programs, and with Houston foraging its way up the AP Polls in recent weeks, he could very well receive a call from Baton Rouge in the coming days. Herman previously spent time as Ohio State's offensive coordinator from 2012-14 and held the same job at Iowa State from 2009-11, so a move to the SEC would not be too far out of his league at all. Houston is currently ranked 15th among all FBS programs in total yards and is listed in the top 30 in passing yards, while LSU is currently ranked 99th in total yards and an even worse, 113th in passing yards. LSU needs an offensive mind, and Herman may be the best they can get. Herman is currently viewed as a golden boy of sorts within the FBS coaching realm, and a move to Baton Rouge would almost instantly put LSU on their way back to relevancy.

Lane Kiffin - Alabama OC

Having had two separate coaching stints with historic Power 5 programs, Kiffin is another man who would be no stranger to coaching under the gigantic spotlight that the head coaching job at LSU brings. The current offensive coordinator for No. 1 Alabama was 7-6 in his only year at the helm of an SEC program, Tennessee, in 2009, before he moved on to USC from 2010-2013. Kiffin led the Volunteers to an appearance in the Chick-Fil-A bowl, as well as a conference title for USC in 2011, and a Sun Bowl appearance in 2012. His youth and offensive mindset could give LSU the jumpstart it is looking for.

Jimbo Fisher - Florida State HC

The current Florida State head coach has been high on the radar of LSU administrators in the past, and could very well be contacted to return to the place where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach from 2000-06. His successes at Florida State more than qualify him for the opportunity, with those achievements including a national championship in 2013 and three consecutive ACC titles from 2012-14. Fisher also has a history of developing high-performing quarterbacks, something which could help rejuvenate an LSU offense that will be losing Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette after this season.

Art Briles - Former Baylor HC

The initial reaction to the possibility of Art Briles taking over the LSU program so soon after his dismissal from Baylor may give fans a sense of serious doubt, but Briles' on-field accomplishments cannot be denied. He was instrumental in resurrecting the program at Houston as well as Baylor, and has stated that he does see himself returning to coaching in the near future. Briles had three consecutive 10-win seasons at Baylor before his dismissal, and his proven track record at bringing programs out of the FBS basement is certainly a selling point to a program that is currently consumed with mediocrity. The one deciding factor that LSU administrators would have to consider is whether or not they would be willing to back Briles so soon after the Baylor sexual assault scandal that put the proven winner on the open market in the first place.

Greg Schiano - Ohio State DC

While the current defensive coordinator for Ohio State may not be the most flashy of choices when considering Miles' replacement, Schiano does boast a resume that could support his consideration for LSU's new main man on the sidelines. Schiano spent 10 seasons as the head coach of Rutgers, and led the Scarlet Knights to a No. 12 ranking on the AP poll in 2006 while garnering a victory in the Texas Bowl that year. It remains to be seen whether Schiano would consider leaving his position under Urban Meyer with the Buckeyes, where he has assembled one of the most highly regarded defenses in the FBS this season, but a head coaching position with a historic SEC program could be just enough to get Schiano thinking.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox