Thoughts on OC position

Here's my perspective on what I'm seeing/hearing/reading. I'll preface this by saying that I have no inside intel.

I suspect that O really wants to hire Sark, but he can't pull the trigger as long as Sark's NFL season is still ongoing and his job with the Falcons is safe. If the Falcons tank in the playoffs, and Sark gets fired, O will be there to swoop in with the offer. O's problem is that the clock is ticking and there's no guarantee he will be able to get Sark. He can't wait for too long due to recruiting, so he needs a backup plan.

In my opinion, his fallback appears to be Ensminger. Ensminger has signaled a willingness to run the type of offense O wants, he filled in capably last year, he's been loyal, he's a known entity (to O) and it maintains at least some minimal level of continuity (although not in scheme). I can see why O would be comfortable with giving him the full-time gig if Sark falls through. I don't agree with it, but I can see it. With that being said, if Ensminger was truly O's #1 choice, then why wouldn't he go ahead and name him the OC? It can't be because of any ongoing negotiations. They've had plenty of time for that. I think the fact that he hasn't been named OC implies that he's not the top choice (and that may not be O's call either).

Any other names being mentioned (like Gilbert) implies one of two things. First, it could be that Coach O isn't completely sold on Ensminger, and is interviewing other candidates as a hedge in case Sark falls through. Second, people in leadership positions (President, AD, Coach O) are getting heat from board members and/or influential donors because they're not at all sold on Ensminger. I suspect it may be the latter.

The wild card is Dave Aranda. We don't really know what influence he has in the decision. I hope he does have influence, but I haven't seen any evidence that definitively clarifies his role, one way or the other. His new contract implies that he does have significant influence, but that's still speculation. My hope is that he's helping evaluate any OC candidates from the perspective of being a first-class DC and a potential HCIW (again, due to the new contract). If he is getting that influence, I believe that also implies it won't be Ensminger. Aranda has had plenty of time to evaluate Ensminger over the last two seasons. If O and Aranda both really wanted Ensminger, why the wait? Again, the heat from board members and/or influential donors and/or the hesitancy from Aranda.

I believe the key domino to fall is Sark. I think the Falcons win puts more pressure on O to make a decision sooner, rather than later. I believe O was banking on a road loss for the Falcons and Sark quickly being let go. I would be okay with him as the OC, but it's looking like he may be off the table (playoff success is great for job security). Now, I hope for LSU's sake that we're broadening our search. I'm not confident that's the case though. I suspect O and Alleva are hard-headed enough to appoint Ensminger. I'll be surprised, but not shocked, if that happens. I'll also be very disappointed. If Ensminger is indeed named, Alleva and O will be putting their targets on their own chests. If it doesn't work out, they could both be out of a job next year (and Aranda will potentially take over).

Bottom line, I'm not confident in Alleva and/or O making the right call here. I wish the best for my Tigers, but I just have no confidence in the current leadership.

Again, just my $0.02, and I have no inside sources.