LSU extensive list of DC Candidates with info.

OFF THE BOARD:

DJ Durkin: STAYING WITH AUBURN

Auburn DC/LB’s Coach, Current Interim HC

Has Auburn’s defense playing very well. Great defensive mind. Has skeletons in the closet, will that be a deterrent?

Candidates:

Vince Kehres:

Toledo DC/LB’s Coach

Young defensive mind. Has Toledo ranked as a top 5-10 defense this year. What could he do with LSU recruits? Is there worry about him going against SEC athletes week in, week out, and only proving it at Toledo so far?

Jim Knowles:

Penn State DC

Very proven commodity. Former Cornell HC. Was amazing at Oklahoma St. Oklahoma St. has been terrible as a team since he left. Was amazing at Ohio St. won a National Title last year. Is also getting older, Penn St. has struggled all around this year, Matt Patricia is also doing the same thing at Ohio St, and maybe even better this year than what Knowles did.

Shiel Wood:

Texas Tech DC

Very young defensive mind. Has Texas Tech as a top defense in the nation. Was at Houston last year and had an incredible defense as well. Coached as Tulane’s DC 2 years ago for 1 season, so some familiarity with the state. Not as many skins on the wall as some, do you worry he’s a product of donors throwing money at everything at Texas Tech?

Bryant Haines:

Indiana DC/LB’s Coach

Has Indiana as one of the best defenses in the country. Has coached under Curt Cignetti in some role for basically a decade now. Only 40 years old. Really no devils advocate on this one, would be a grand slam. Has served as DC under Cignetti since 2019 with James Madison and IU.

Tosh Lupoi:

Oregon DC/LB’s Coach

Has Oregon as one of the top defenses. Still very young. Energetic. A top recruiter in CFB. Was also basically kicked to the curb at Alabama, and is also a top candidate to take over as Cal’s next HC.

Jay Valai:

Assistant head coach for defense/co-defensive coordinator/pass defense/cornerbacks and nickelbacks coach

Very young defensive mind. Big DFW ties. Has been able to learn under Venables the past 4 seasons, who we all know is a genius on the defensive side. Do we also know for sure Valai is up to the job? Venables still calls the OU defense end of the day, so is Valai a product of Venables?

Rob Aurich:

San Diego State DC/LB’s Coach

Not much information on Aurich other than San Diego St. has a top 5 defense in the country this year. He is also very young. This is only his first real season as a DC at a somewhat respectable school. Would he be in over his head?

Corey Heatherman:

Miami DC

Has Miami as a top defense in the country. Still real young. Was named FCS assistant coach of the year in 2021 at James Madison right before they made the jump to the FBS. Only 2 years experience though at Power 4 schools as a DC. Miami this season, Minnesota last season.

Tom Allen:

Clemson DC/LB’s Coach

First year at Clemson. Was Penn St. DC last season. Former IU coach who really did great things at IU before he lost control, and we all forgot about it since Cignetti is unbelievable. Huge personality, and big energy. Definitely a players coach. Does have at least 3 years experience of SEC ball 2012-2014 Ole Miss ST/LB coach. Downside, Clemson has been pretty bad this year, and this is with him having 3 or so First Round picks on the defensive side of the ball.

Scott Symons:

SMU DC/S’s coach

Has been SMU’s DC for the last 4 seasons. Previous 3 seasons as DC of Liberty. Has done really good things at both SMU, and Liberty. Still very young. Also hasn’t coached anywhere at a place like LSU. Even most of his assistant coaching stints were at small places. SMU is at least been in the ACC now, who may as well be a Group of 5 at this point, but he’s still coaching against Power 4 teams.

Pete Kwiatkowski:

Texas DC/OLB’s Coach

We all know about Kwiatkowski. Has many skins on the wall, and has been elite for 2 decades+ now. Was instrumental in Boise St.‘s huge run, was also instrumental in Washington’s big run. Chris Petersen guy for a long time. Has been real good at Texas. Can we lure him from Texas? He’s making 1.9, and Baker is getting 2.5, no doubt we could boost his salary, but I imagine Texas would definitely up his salary to match an LSU offer, so this one is in doubt.


Not included:

Phil Parker, 62 years old now, already making 1.9 million yearly at Iowa, been at Iowa since 1999, been Iowa’s DC since 2012. Likely Iowa lifer at this point.

Jon Heacock, 65 years old, been with Matt Campbell since 2014, been Iowa State’s DC since 2016, making 1.2 million

Morgan Scalley, been at Utah since 2007 in a coaching role, been at Utah since 2001 as a player, likely to take over as Utah’a next HC when Kyle Whittingham retires


Most of the guys laid out, I’d be good with. Gut pick end of day? Give Bryant Haines, or Shiel Wood an offer they can’t refuse.

Note: This is all only for the POSSIBILITY that Baker is accepting the Tulane job. We can all circle here if it comes to fruition.