Would Urban Meyer ever head back to the SEC?
The chances of that happening are infinitesimal, as Ohio State's head coach has his Buckeye train rolling and is 53-4 in now his fifth season in Columbus. But according to a report on Monday by FootballScoop, Lousiana State University plans to reach out to the three-time national championship-winning head coach about its head coaching vacancy. The Tigers fired Les Miles on Sunday, a day after he lost to Auburn to open the season 1-2.
They tabbed defensive line coach Ed Orgeron as interim head coach. Orgeron could very well earn the job based on his performance as the 2016 season progresses, according to the report.
Meyer isn't the only high-profile coach LSU's administration plans to at least speak with in its search for a new permanent head football coach, however.
From the report:
If Orgeron doesn’t earn the job, sources tell FootballScoop that LSU’s committee believes they can and should land a home run.
“Their sights are on national championship caliber, proven head coaches,” a source with knowledge told FootballScoop this morning. During the initial, exploratory phase, we are told to expect LSU, through representatives, to gauge the interest of some of the top coaches in college football, including Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Jimbo Fisher and Tom Herman. Right or wrong, sources tell FootballScoop that LSU believes they will be able to attract a coach of that caliber.
It sounds like LSU's leaders plan to give agents for Meyer, Saban, Herman and others a call to at least gauge their interest. Meyer's agent Trace Armstrong is likely to say "thanks, but no thanks," but the Tigers are apparently pulling out all the stops in their hunt to replace Miles.
Asked on Monday if any coach in the profession is "safe" in this day and age regardless of their resume — Miles won the 2007 BCS National Championship but is now unemployed — Meyer initially diverted his response to Rutgers, whom the Buckeyes host on Saturday.
“You just got to beat Rutgers, man,” Meyer said. “I'm just worried about this place right here. It's crazy and it's getting crazier and to much given, much is expected.”
For the record, the oddsmakers at BookMaker.eu give Tom Herman +100 odds to be the next LSU head coach, with Jimbo Fisher second at +250.
FootballScoop cited a source that said money will not be an issue for LSU in its attempt to woo another coach to Baton Rouge. Meyer makes more than $6 million per year and signed a contract extension in April 2015 that keeps him in Columbus through the 2020 season.
Meyer won't leave Ohio State. But that doesn't mean LSU won't ask.
