One year after winning the national championship with a 15-0 record, the LSU Tigers finished the 2020 season with a disappointing 5-5 record.
Those results led LSU head coach Ed Orgeron to make sweeping changes on his coaching staff, including at defensive coordinator.
Last offseason, Orgeron went for Bo Pelini, who had spent the previous 12 seasons as head coach for Nebraska and Youngstown State after Dave Aranda left Baton Rouge to take over as head coach at Baylor.
Before becoming the head coach at Nebraska in 2008, Pelini had spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at LSU.
Things didn’t quite go so well in his return.
The Tigers set numerous school records for defensive futility in Pelini’s long year in charge of the defense, and rumors of his tenuous job security began back in October.
Sure, many things played a part in LSU’s struggles this season. A lack of offseason for a new coach to install his defense played a part, as well as the Tigers losing several talented defenders to the NFL and opt-outs.
Regardless, it was apparent that Pelini wasn’t going to turn things around, and Orgeron is now searching for a new defensive coordinator for the second straight season.
Where does Orgeron turn to now?
Does he look for the next up-and-comer, or does he look for a veteran with a proven track record?
Here are the top three options Orgeron should consider for his new defensive coordinator.