Jordan Rodgers pitches NFL head coach, top college coordinator for LSU job

by: Alex Byington 6 hours ago _AlexByington

Aug 30, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Syracuse Orange at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Given all the chaos that’s unfolded over the last week in Baton Rouge following Sunday’s tumultuous firing of fourth-year head football coach Brian Kelly , LSU ‘s search for his replacement has already gone off the rails. That dysfunction led to Thursday’s parting of ways with veteran athletic director Scott Woodward.

And while longtime deputy AD Verne Ausberry has been promoted on an interim basis and will lead the coaching search, college football pundits expect the uncertainty within the Tigers administration — which is also currently without a school president — will significantly impact LSU’s ability to attract a high-profile head coaching candidate. That includes Ole Miss ‘ Lane Kiffin .

During Friday morning’s Get Up , ESPN analyst and former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers proposed two off-the-radar candidates that could be great options as LSU’s next head coach: Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and first-year New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore .

Jordan Rodgers: ‘Lane Kiffin is not leaving for that mess’ at LSU

“Lane Kiffin is not leaving for that mess, and I think a lot of other established coaches that may be (normally) be on the radar for LSU aren’t either as of the events of the last couple of days. So I’m going to give you two names that I don’t think anybody’s talking about,” Rodgers said Friday morning. “ Brian Hartline , the offensive coordinator at Ohio State , he has a track record of developing and recruiting elite wide receivers. And, as a play caller, look what he’s done with a young quarterback in Julian Sayin this year. I think he’d be a great hire, off-the-radar a little bit.

“And another one, and this might sound a little crazy: Kellen Moore , (who is currently) an hour and 15 minutes down the road. And if you’re like, why would Kellen Moore want to go LSU? Well in a month or so, if (the Saints) are 2-10 or 2-12 and you find out Tyler Shough is not the guy, in the NFL you don’t get more than two years to figure it out at that position,” Rodgers continued, suggesting Moore could already see the writing on the wall in New Orleans. “And success in the NFL doesn’t mean you can’t have success in college. He has got a great scheme, a great offensive mind, would immediately make an impact. And he has a chance to turn good players into great players with his scheme in college, something you can’t really do in the NFL (because) it’s much more star-driven.

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