Is Lane Kiffin the best offensive coordinator candidate for LSU?
It’s been reported by numerous outlets that Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is the top target at LSU for the same position.
Conventional wisdom states Kiffin would rather have a head coaching gig. If this ultimately doesn’t come to fruition, Kiffin may make the rare move from one SEC West rival to another.
When looking at Kiffin’s numbers as an offensive coordinator, he’s generally done a good job at every stop he’s had:
How Kiffin Os ranked nationally in 6 yrs as OC
7th (Jaguars, 00)
1st (SC, 05)
21st (SC, 06)
18th (UA, 14)
45th (UA, 15)
26th (UA, 16)#LSU— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 9, 2016
Statistically these are very solid numbers. However, is Kiffin really the best man for the job in Baton Rouge? Head coach Ed Orgeron has preexisting ties with the former USC head coach — which speaks to LSU’s heavy interest.
However, there’s another former Pac-12 head coach with an even better offensive resume:
Here's Helfrich at Oregon
As OC
2009: 33
2010: 1
2011: 4
2012: 5As Head Coach
2013: 2
2014: 3
2015: 1
2016: 18 https://t.co/OLUfJIozpA— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) December 9, 2016
It would be very fascinating to see Mark Helfrich bring his high-octane offense to SEC country. With the athletes he’d have to his disposal, no one at LSU would confuse this scheme with the antiquated one former head coach Les Miles opted to utilize.
Should Kiffin get a head coaching position, it may behoove LSU into looking at Helfrich.
Why would he want a lateral move?
Better working conditions
LOL, there is nothing better about working for a buffoon at a mediocre program, not when compared to the best program on the planet.
You can feel free to believe whatever you like. If Kiffin is an OC next season, it will be at LSU.
That still won’t change the fact that Coach No is far less qualified to head up a program than Lane Kiffin is, and his record shows it. Losing a home game to that wretched Florida team should have been the final nail in his coffin, but instead LSU gets cheap and hires him. Name one smart thing Coach No has done since he got the job. He has certainly not accomplished anything on the recruiting front.
Strange, that everyone that is beating the “Kiffin to LSU” drum seems to be from Baton Rouge.
This is who Tennessee should go after to replace Deboring
Helfrich, that is.
I would have no problem with Helfrich at LSU as the OC. There are a couple of other guys that would be good hires also. It’s just not about Kiffin, even though he seems to be the top choice. We just need someone that can run an offense and develop QB’s.
I sure hope Coach O doesn’t hire this Helfrich guy without thoroughly vetting his ‘actual’ record… From reading his wiki, I get that he never really called plays, he also gets credit for developing Marriota, but Marriota had his success in 2014. Helfrich promoted his WR coach to OC/QB’s from 2013 – 2015… so I’m just a tiny bit skeptical of him…
Come on John you know you want Kiffin back on rocky top!!!
Here’s what I don’t understand. Why does LSU want him so bad???
Not trying to be deragotory, just practical. If he comes in and succeeds they’ll only have him for one year, he’ll get an HC offer next year because that would make him and very valuable attraction to other struggling schools. Seems they should be focusing their efforts on finding someone that will stick around a few years.
Just about every good OC wants to be a HC, so you take whoever you get for however long you can keep them. Lane is an outstanding OC, but he is not the only outstanding OC out there. He seems desperate for a HC position. I would prefer that LSU start looking elsewhere. If we really want to run a spread, we should move on and go after Helfrich.
Short answer: $$$
Longer answer: Whoever they get may continue to look for a HC job. Based on what has happened so far this year, it looks like not that many schools are looking to Kiffin for a HC position, and the same may happen in succeeding years.
Kiffin is now looking at FAU. It seems he will take any HC offer he can get. I would prefer that LSU move on to someone that is not in desperation mode.