The hot names at the moment when it comes to the LSU Tigers and USC Trojans head coach search seem to be Dave Aranda and Lincoln Riley. Riley more so for the Bayou Bengals, and even that feels like a smokescreen. However, we will focus on the former defensive coordinator that helped this defense win a national championship in 2019.
With Aranda’s name popping up recently for both the Trojans and Tigers vacancies, the question is who would he likely go with? Matt Zemek, the Trojans Wire editor weighed in on the subject.
“USC fans that worried about James Franklin going to an SEC school were always mindful of the reality that if USC and LSU (hypothetically) got into a bidding war for Franklin, LSU would be able to offer more money. Though Franklin is not believed to be a serious candidate at LSU right now, the same dynamics apply to a Dave Aranda fight between the Trojans and Tigers. If USC and LSU both want Dave Aranda, LSU is more likely to get him. That statement isn’t meant to diminish USC or deliver a backhanded criticism at the Trojans. It’s simply a reality that SEC schools have more leverage and money and are better positioned to offer a king’s ransom to the coaches they want. I don’t know if Dave Aranda is LSU’s No. 1 target, but I do know that if LSU wants him, LSU has a really good chance of landing him at this point.” – Zemek, Trojans Wire
It’s no secret that Aranda’s family enjoyed their time in Baton Rouge. What is that old saying, “if momma isn’t happy nobody is happy?” We know it is more than just the family dynamic but LSU can offer more money than both USC and Baylor.
Aranda has two games left with Baylor with a Big 12 title game appearance up for grabs. If he can turn around that program, there is no question he can make LSU a consistent contender once again.