Candidates to Replace Les Miles at LSU

Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin talks to defensive coordinator Kirby Smart before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

After facing years of talented teams eventually brought down by their own struggles on the offensive side of the ball legendary defensive coordinator John Chavis cut ties with the Tigers last January.

The Big Easy Believer has joined Chavis in feeling that Les Miles is an impediment to the team developing real success on the offensive side of the ball.

Fans and the media have periodically called for the coach to be fired throughout Miles tenure, this is no different than any other major sports program. The lack of fans in the stands towards the end of a drubbing at the hands of a less talented Arkansas squad was a sign that this time things are different.

LSU has a massive new stadium expansion to pay for. Empty seats are not an option, and truth be told Alleva must feel like he is as much on the hot seat here as Miles.

Whispers from inside the athletic department say that Miles isn’t gone, but must show improvement over the final two games.

Nov 15, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles questions a call made on the field during the first half of the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

That is a far cry from a categorical denial and there has been no public statement of support for LSU’s head coach, which speaks volumes.

With the increasing likelihood that LSU will look to move on from the Les Miles era, it is time to look at possible contenders for the job.

One advantage that LSU has is desirability.

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With the sole exception of USC, Baton Rouge is the top destination for college coaches this offseason. That statement is made with apologies to South Carolina and Miami, and Alabama as well — should Nick Saban be enticed to jump back into the NFL.

LSU head coaching candidates can look forward to great facilities and stadium, an active fan base, tradition and a roster loaded with talent from year one.

In order to succeed they will have to recruit well, fix the offense, recruit well, keep the defense playing at its high standard, recruit well, win in the SEC, and recruit well. While managing all of this they will also need to recruit well.

Major College programs generally source new head coaches from one of three areas: other major college head coaches, top flight major college assistants, and smaller college head coaches. They occasionally promote from within or get a coach from a small school or NFL team as well.

I am looking at the top LSU Coaching Candidates from each of these categories and one wild card prospect I think LSU fans should keep an eye on over the coming weeks, should Miles — as we suggested here yesterday — be fired at the end of the season by AD Joe Alleva.

With that in mind, here are some names that LSU fans need to have on their head coaching radar, starting with this one……

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