LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is already the highest paid college football assistant coach, but that won’t put a stop to speculation that he could leave this offseason for a head coaching job. According to reports from Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, he wants to be a head coach too.

Dellenger also reports that Aranda has been “mentioned” for the openings at Colorado State and UNLV.

Aranda has served as LSU’s defensive coordinator, assistant coach and linebackers coach since 2016. During that season Orgeron took over for Les Miles in September.

Prior to joining the LSU staff, Aranda was Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2013-15. He has also served as defensive coordinator at Southern Utah, Hawaii and Utah State over the last 11 years.

Colorado State’s previous head coach Mike Bobo stepped down last month after going 7-17 over the last two years. Two weeks ago, UNLV fired head coach Tony Sanchez after failing to post a winning season in five years. Sanchez was 20-40 as head coach of the Rebels and led UNLV to a 4-8 record in 2019.

It will be interesting to see if Aranda’s head coaching candidacy around the country is a playoff distraction for LSU, who will face Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 28 at 4 pm ET.