As LSU’s coaching search stretches into another week, FOX Sports college football analyst Bruce Feldman believes the Tigers are moving in the wrong direction. This is not because of who they’re considering, but because of who they’re ignoring in the process.
The program remains fixated on Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who's the biggest name on the market. He's also a figure Feldman says fits LSU’s long-standing preference for splash over substance. But in doing so, LSU is overlooking a rising Group of Five coach who could be a perfect fit for success.
On Todd McShay's podcast this week, Feldman pointed to Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is exactly the type of candidate LSU should at least be evaluating. Instead, he says, the Tigers appear uninterested as desperately want Kiffin.
“I don’t know if LSU would do it because LSU does some nutty stuff,” Feldman said. “Unless they’re backed into a corner, I don’t think they’re going to do the thing that may make the most sense. They’re going to do the thing that sounds the coolest at the press conference.”
Feldman noted that Sumrall now has Auburn heavily pursuing him. The former SEC player and assistant with deep ties in Alabama and would be universal respect there. He turned Tulane into a top-25 program while being favored to claim the Group of Five’s playoff spot.
Yet, LSU’s influential powers have historically refused to consider coaches from lower-tier leagues. One aspect that keeps hurting them in a major way.
While Kiffin remains the favorite to replace Brian Kelly, Auburn’s aggressive pursuit of Sumrall may prove to be the opportunity LSU wasted years down the road. It's also why its search may be drifting backward rather than forward in Baton Rouge.
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