Tom Herman refutes reports linking him to LSU, Texas

Oct 22, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the sidelines against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. SMU won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the sidelines against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. SMU won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman refutes the rumors he’s close to a deal to be the head coach at LSU.

Set to be a busy offseason in college football, many coaches are coming to terms with their fate. Even before losing to Kansas, Charlie Strong’s stay at Texas was said to be short. LSU interim head coach Ed Orgeron may also be out of a gig. Houston head coach Tom Herman has been linked to both programs and was reportedly close to a deal with LSU, according to HornsDigest.com.

Herman denied the report he is close to a deal with LSU and any interest in the Texas coaching job prior to kickoff telling Cole Cubelic to not believe anything that we read and saying “I’m not gonna talk about any other job except the one I’ve got now and these kids,”

Herman isn’t the only one to deny the report as LSU athletic director Joe Alleva did as much during LSU’s game vs. Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night. Technically, he declined to comment on any report out there.

If the Texas job opens, there is speculation Herman could still have an interest in the Longhorns job. He was a grad assistant in Austin and has coached in the state before embarking on his head coaching career that led him back to the Lone Star State.

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Herman would spur the Cougars to a 13-1 record during his first year at Houston. That same year, the Cougars won the Peach Bowl, 38-24, against Florida State. Houston went a combined 21-17 three years before Herman’s arrival. Since then, the program’s been in a renaissance. This year, Houston has wins over Oklahoma and Louisville who ranked in the top 5 at the time they played.

If LSU does not hire, it is expected they will pursue Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher and Orgeron could be a candidate if Fisher turns them down.