LSU coaching search: Tigers have 1 big challenge to overcome, per CFB insider

LSU and Southern California are both known as premier college football programs. Both are also looking for new head coaches. Both have challenges.

Fox Sports’ analyst Bruce Feldman laid out the challenges for both schools as they compete for whichever coach is willing to make a move. Feldman said Penn State’s James Franklin is a top target for both schools, but LSU will have to overcome one possible objection by Franklin or anyone else aware of the historic run that has occurred at Alabama.

“Nick Saban is in their division. There’s no Bama in the Pac-12 South,” Feldman said, referring to USC’s much weaker division.

Feldman added that the Trojans have a unique challenge as well. He said the cost of living in Los Angeles will challenge USC to come up with a salary pool for a coaching staff that is comparable to elsewhere in the country.

Franklin has Penn State in the College Football Playoff hunt at 5-1. The Nittany Lions host Illinois today so Franklin should stay hot for at least another week. LSU plays at Ole Miss.

Feldman pointed out that Franklin’s success at Vanderbilt, which included two top 25 finishes, is also a major reason why both USC and LSU are so interested.

You can watch Feldman’s full comments below:

👀 @BruceFeldmanCFB has all the latest on LSU and USC’s coaching searches and who they both have their eyes on pic.twitter.com/kTQ2vIt5O6

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 23, 2021

Dave Hooker

Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.