Gary Patterson a good choice if Herman or Fisher do not work out

Conventional wisdom has Herman and Fisher as top two choices for LSU. You cannot please everyone, but either one of these hires would likely be seen as a win for LSU. Any other hire, other than some big surprise like a current NFL coach looking for college life, would likely elicit a mixed response from fans.

There are some good coaches in the second tier of most mentioned names. Fedora is one. The one I like most, and someone where the interest would probably be mutual, is Gary Patterson.

But for a couple off seasons at TCU, what he has done there has been nothing short or remarkable. He wins on average 10 games a year at a Texas school that is at a big recruiting disadvantage to Texas and Texas A&M. His teams have absolutely crushed Texas a few times and recently demolished a good Ole Miss team. His teams hold their own with all the good BIG 12 schools, he just does it with less resources.

Patterson is young enough at 56 to be a long term hire. He has a defensive background, but his teams have been offensive juggernaut. He does more with less talent than most coaches out there.

Bum Phillips used to say a good coach is one who can take mine and beat yorn, and then take yorn and beat mine. Patterson has done a lot with a little.

I think Patterson is a pick that would get mixed reviews by LSU fans. Herman is definitely the sexier pick and a coach who has definitely done a lot with a little. Patterson just has a longer track record of being good, there is less risk he is a flash in the pan.

Like most, I would be happy with Fisher or Herman. if we don't land either of those guys, among the second tier of names currently being mentioned, Patterson would be a good one.