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Just remember Saban was basically unknown when he arrived at LSU
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:48 pm
I know most LSU fans want a big name coach, but just remember we just got burned by the winningest D1 active head coach for $53M! There a lot of great young coaches that could come in and re-energize the fan base and really connect with a lot of these younger players.
There are currently only 10 D1 head football coaches over 60 and that doesn't count Kelly, Pittman and Jay Norvell who were all recently fired. It's clear the trend - particularly in this NIL/transfer portal era - is showing that younger is clearly a better route to take.
I think Tulane's Jon Sumrall, Georgia Tech's Brent Key or Vandy's Clark Lea are all very talented young coaches that could really do an exceptional job for LSU.
Just remember, just because something is vintage, doesn't make it better!
There are currently only 10 D1 head football coaches over 60 and that doesn't count Kelly, Pittman and Jay Norvell who were all recently fired. It's clear the trend - particularly in this NIL/transfer portal era - is showing that younger is clearly a better route to take.
I think Tulane's Jon Sumrall, Georgia Tech's Brent Key or Vandy's Clark Lea are all very talented young coaches that could really do an exceptional job for LSU.
Just remember, just because something is vintage, doesn't make it better!
11
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:50 pm to homemadeshine
I am literally good with any of the following:
Brent Key
Kenny Dillingham
Jon Sumrall
Clark Lea
Lane Kiffin
I am sure I am missing one. BK burned us bad. We need a young coach (under 48ish with FIRE) who will not be outworked and who knows the modern day portal and happenings of college football. Also has to have a spread offense.
Brent Key
Kenny Dillingham
Jon Sumrall
Clark Lea
Lane Kiffin
I am sure I am missing one. BK burned us bad. We need a young coach (under 48ish with FIRE) who will not be outworked and who knows the modern day portal and happenings of college football. Also has to have a spread offense.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:56 pm to Bottom9
quote:
Brent Key
Kenny Dillingham
Jon Sumrall
Clark Lea
Lane Kiffin
Good list. Maybe add Drink and Brohm
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:57 pm to homemadeshine
Nick Saban was 43-26-1 when he left Michigan St for LSU
Les Miles was 28-21 when he left Oklahoma St for LSU
Ed Orgeron was 16-27 when he got the LSU job
They all won the SEC and National Championship in 3 years.
Brian Kelly was 263-96-2 when he left Notre Dame for LSU
He was fired in 3.5 years; never winning the SEC or a National Title.
Sometimes unknowns with something to prove are better than established canidates
Les Miles was 28-21 when he left Oklahoma St for LSU
Ed Orgeron was 16-27 when he got the LSU job
They all won the SEC and National Championship in 3 years.
Brian Kelly was 263-96-2 when he left Notre Dame for LSU
He was fired in 3.5 years; never winning the SEC or a National Title.
Sometimes unknowns with something to prove are better than established canidates
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:57 pm to homemadeshine
quote:
Just remember Saban was basically unknown when he arrived at LSU
Saban was widely viewed as an up and comer. He was hardly an unknown.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 4:58 pm to homemadeshine
Saban was known as the coach who lost to the coach who was fired in the independence bowl by 20+ points.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:01 pm to Bottom9
Saban was hardly an unknown if you closely followed football.
It was a different era and everything wasn't nationally televised or all over social media, but he was a major player. The year before we hired him he turned down the New York Giants head coaching position and had previously passed on the Colts.
He had been the head coach for 5 years at MSU and turned an 0-11 team to a 9 win season in his last year. Prior to that he was the DC of a defense that allowed the fewest points in NFL history at that time.
Comparing him at that time to someone like Sumrall is a joke.
I agree about hiring someone younger with fire (hated the Kelly hire from day 1 for that reason) but we need to aim a little higher in proven than someone like Sumrall.
And older guys can still have fire, the mistake is guaranteeing them $100m.
It was a different era and everything wasn't nationally televised or all over social media, but he was a major player. The year before we hired him he turned down the New York Giants head coaching position and had previously passed on the Colts.
He had been the head coach for 5 years at MSU and turned an 0-11 team to a 9 win season in his last year. Prior to that he was the DC of a defense that allowed the fewest points in NFL history at that time.
Comparing him at that time to someone like Sumrall is a joke.
I agree about hiring someone younger with fire (hated the Kelly hire from day 1 for that reason) but we need to aim a little higher in proven than someone like Sumrall.
And older guys can still have fire, the mistake is guaranteeing them $100m.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:03 pm to artistfkacvbc
Yeah the only surprising thing about Saban was that he took another college job. The general consensus was always that his next stop was back to the NFL.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:05 pm to homemadeshine
quote:
Clark Lea
No.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:37 pm to artistfkacvbc
quote:
Comparing him at that time to someone like Sumrall is a joke.
We hired Gerry the same year MSU hired Saban.
So why didn't we hire Sabsn then? We could've gotten him 5 years sooner.. Why not? Because somebody in our Admin didn't do their HOMEWORK.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:39 pm to homemadeshine
quote:
Just remember Saban was basically unknown when he arrived at LSU
Can we stop this lie?
He already had nfl teams considering him and had been at MSU for a few years. His team had just beat ohio state who was ranked #1. I was only 14 but knew exactly who he was and knew it was a good hire.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:50 pm to homemadeshine
Kick the tires on Ryan Silverfield
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:00 pm to S
Not disagreeing with Saban being hired obviously. Having said that, Nicky was at Michigan State for 5 years. How many Big 10 titles did he win? 0!
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:02 pm to homemadeshine
Good point! Nobody predicted that Saban would turn out to be a legend. He was basically a young talent.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:06 pm to S
He had worked with Belichek in Cleveland as a DC. He was not even close to unknown in coaching circles.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:11 pm to Stevo
quote:
Saban was widely viewed as an up and comer. He was hardly an unknown.
Exactly, he had already turned down HC jobs with the Colts and Giants.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:11 pm to homemadeshine
I remember thinking Miles was a horrible hire at the time. And I was wrong.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:13 pm to NotaStarGazer
quote:
How many Big 10 titles did he win? 0!
He took over a team that was on probation. He built it into a power.
When asked, he said he left Michigan State because there was no indication they wanted him to stay. Don't know if he wanted a pay raise and they never offered.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:18 pm to homemadeshine
I always thought he was Lou Saban’s kid. 
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