LSU football coaching candidates: 3 most realistic options to replace Ed Orgeron

1. Could LSU get James Franklin to leave Penn State?

There aren’t many college coaching jobs that are considered better than Penn State, but some might make the argument that LSU fits the bill. The Tigers have incredible facilities, a passionate fanbase, and talent-rich recruiting areas surrounding them with Baton Rouge and Houston both being nearby.

So, would LSU be able to convince Penn State head coach James Franklin to leave the Nittany Lions and come back to the SEC? Plenty of people are high on Franklin’s coaching potential and Franklin’s name has been floated the USC job opening.

During his time with the Nittany Lions, Franklin has helped Penn State ascend in the Big Ten. Penn State hasn’t been perfect under his leadership and he’s had to replace his offensive coordinator a few times, but Franklin has won much more than he’s lost. So far, he’s gone 65-29 in 7-and-a-half seasons at Penn State. His team struggled a season ago, but Franklin has guided Penn State to three 11-win seasons and has a chance to do that again this year.

All in all, that’s not bad.

It would likely take a ton of money to get Franklin to leave Penn State and LSU still has to consider Orgeron’s buyout with whoever they try to hire next.

It’s not exactly clear how interested Franklin, or any of these other possible candidates, would be in the LSU coaching gig, but the Tigers definitely have to try landing one of these guys. It’s hard to imagine all three of them turning a job as good as LSU down.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.