The college football season hasn't even reached it's halfway point, but the coaching carousel has already started with the LSU Tigers deciding to fire Les Miles on Sunday. Now that LSU has made a mid-season change, they are the premier opening in the college football world. Here's all the latest news and rumors you need to know involving LSU's coaching search:
Jimbo Fisher is LSU's top target
Ed Orgeron has taken over as interim head coach for the Tigers after Miles' firing, but LSU has already identified who they want to take over on a permanent basis - Florida State's Jimbo Fisher.
According to ESPN's Todd McShay, Fisher is LSU's top choice, ahead of a small group of other names. Fisher served as the offensive coordinator at LSU under both Nick Saban and Miles, giving him significant ties to the program. In fact, the two sides had reportedly engaged in contract negotiations last year when it looked like Miles was going to get fired after the 2015 season.
Fisher did his best to squash the rumors on Wednesday, saying he plans to be at Florida State "for a long time" and that he isn't talking to LSU. However, that doesn't mean he's not interested.
Who else?
If Fisher decides to stay at Florida State, the Tigers reportedly have a group of a few candidates they'll go after, headlined by Houston's Tom Herman and former Baylor head coach Art Briles:
Multiple sources have told @LSUonScout that #LSU has reached out to Tom Herman and Art Briles through their agents.
— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) September 25, 2016
Herman has led the Cougars to a 18-1 record and the No. 6 national ranking in just a year and half with the program. He'll get offers from every school with a coaching vacancy this offseason, and LSU is certainly on his shortlist.
Briles was a surprise entrant on this list given his recent firing from Baylor amidst scandal. However, he turned them into a powerhouse on the field, and his offense has turned the Bears into one of the highest-scoring teams in the country every season.
Lane Kiffin an option?
One name that has been brought up throughout the past week has been Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. While some think it's worth LSU to give him another chance as a head coach, former LSU AD Skip Bertman says the Tigers should stay away from Kiffin:
"No, no, no, no," Bertman said. "I don't like him. I don't think he's a fit for here. But he's good, as an offensive coordinator. I feel that way, but I'll go with whoever they pick."
Kiffin has previously been the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Volunteers and USC Trojans before being fired and becoming Alabama's offensive coordinator. Remember, Kiffin is still young (41) and one of the best coordinators in the country. He'd also have LSU's offense playing at a high level as soon as he stepped on campus.
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