The news that Dave Aranda is on the verge of becoming the next Baylor head coach adds to an already damaging post championship offseason. Joe Brady is now the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers and 7 underclassmen have already entered the NFL Draft.
These type of things come with success, though, and during his short tenure as head coach, Ed Orgeron has pulled all the right strings. If Aranda does leave, here are a list of names that could be vetted as potential replacements. I will add names accordingly.
Joe Barry, LB coach, Los Angeles Rams
Joe Barry is currently in the mix for the USC defensive coordinator job and he and Orgeron are familiar with each other, having worked together at USC. The 49-year old also serves as the assistant head coach and linebacker coach for the Rams. He would fit both the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator needs left by an Aranda's departure.
Charlie Strong, Free Agent
The former Texas and USF head coach and outstanding defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators is currently unemployed and could be a good fit in Baton Rouge--at least from the outside looking in. Strong was recently fired from his head coaching position at USF and may not be in a rush to get back into coaching, but a job like LSU for a defensive coach of his caliber is hard to ignore.
Bo Pelini, Head Coach, Youngstown State
Yep, Pelini's name will circulate again, and rightfully so. The man knows how to coach some defense and his fiery temperament and aggressive style usually make for some strong defenses, especially when he has talent to work with. Pelini's salary at Youngstown State isn't what is keeping him there, rather, it is his attachment to the school and area that keeps him in place.
Blake Baker, Defensive Coordinator, Miami
Blaker is a promising young coordinator that the LSU staff really likes. He is a pupil of Miami head coach Manny Diaz, who has been really successful calling defenses in his career. Baker loves Louisiana and would likely be very intrigued if LSU were to pursue him. He does have relationships with some current LSU staff members that would support a move in that direction.
Pete Golding, Defensive Coordinator, Alabama
Hey, it would check some boxes. Yes, there could easily be some tension between the two parties if LSU were to take issue with previous recruiting battles and the whole Alabama/LSU rivalry thing, but there hire could make some sense. Golding worked under Frank Wilson at UTSA and Wilson thought very highly of his abilities, and he would likely vouch for his former employee. Golding is a native of Tangipahoa Parish.
David Reeves, Defensive Coordinator, UAB
Reeves was the 2018 Broyles Award recipient after the Blazers finished No. 9 in the country in total defense. He just wrapped up his third year as the UAB's defensive coordinator and it is surprising that he hasn't been pulled away by a larger program as of yet. That time should be coming soon, as Reeves has established himself as one of the rising defensive coordinators in college football.
Brad White, Defensive Coordinator, Kentucky
White is quickly becoming regarded as one of the most promising young defensive minds in college football after taking over the coordinator duties for Kentucky this year. White was credited with developing Kentucky standout Josh Allen as the outside linebackers coach in 2018. He knows the SEC. He can coach linebackers and has six-years of NFL coaching experience with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jim Leonhard, Defensive Coordinator, Wisconsin
We are told that LSU will indeed check with Leonhard's representatives to see if there is mutual interest, or if the Wisconsin graduate is locked in with his alma mater. Leonhard is one of the nation's elite coordinators and would be a homerun hire, but he had a successful 10-year NFL playing career, so money will not be much of a motivating factor here.
These type of things come with success, though, and during his short tenure as head coach, Ed Orgeron has pulled all the right strings. If Aranda does leave, here are a list of names that could be vetted as potential replacements. I will add names accordingly.
Joe Barry, LB coach, Los Angeles Rams
Joe Barry is currently in the mix for the USC defensive coordinator job and he and Orgeron are familiar with each other, having worked together at USC. The 49-year old also serves as the assistant head coach and linebacker coach for the Rams. He would fit both the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator needs left by an Aranda's departure.
Charlie Strong, Free Agent
The former Texas and USF head coach and outstanding defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators is currently unemployed and could be a good fit in Baton Rouge--at least from the outside looking in. Strong was recently fired from his head coaching position at USF and may not be in a rush to get back into coaching, but a job like LSU for a defensive coach of his caliber is hard to ignore.
Bo Pelini, Head Coach, Youngstown State
Yep, Pelini's name will circulate again, and rightfully so. The man knows how to coach some defense and his fiery temperament and aggressive style usually make for some strong defenses, especially when he has talent to work with. Pelini's salary at Youngstown State isn't what is keeping him there, rather, it is his attachment to the school and area that keeps him in place.
Blake Baker, Defensive Coordinator, Miami
Blaker is a promising young coordinator that the LSU staff really likes. He is a pupil of Miami head coach Manny Diaz, who has been really successful calling defenses in his career. Baker loves Louisiana and would likely be very intrigued if LSU were to pursue him. He does have relationships with some current LSU staff members that would support a move in that direction.
Pete Golding, Defensive Coordinator, Alabama
Hey, it would check some boxes. Yes, there could easily be some tension between the two parties if LSU were to take issue with previous recruiting battles and the whole Alabama/LSU rivalry thing, but there hire could make some sense. Golding worked under Frank Wilson at UTSA and Wilson thought very highly of his abilities, and he would likely vouch for his former employee. Golding is a native of Tangipahoa Parish.
David Reeves, Defensive Coordinator, UAB
Reeves was the 2018 Broyles Award recipient after the Blazers finished No. 9 in the country in total defense. He just wrapped up his third year as the UAB's defensive coordinator and it is surprising that he hasn't been pulled away by a larger program as of yet. That time should be coming soon, as Reeves has established himself as one of the rising defensive coordinators in college football.
Brad White, Defensive Coordinator, Kentucky
White is quickly becoming regarded as one of the most promising young defensive minds in college football after taking over the coordinator duties for Kentucky this year. White was credited with developing Kentucky standout Josh Allen as the outside linebackers coach in 2018. He knows the SEC. He can coach linebackers and has six-years of NFL coaching experience with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jim Leonhard, Defensive Coordinator, Wisconsin
We are told that LSU will indeed check with Leonhard's representatives to see if there is mutual interest, or if the Wisconsin graduate is locked in with his alma mater. Leonhard is one of the nation's elite coordinators and would be a homerun hire, but he had a successful 10-year NFL playing career, so money will not be much of a motivating factor here.
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