LSU coaching search: Booger McFarland makes prediction, questions Jeff Landry involvement

In the four days since LSU announced Brian Kelly’s departure, the coaching search has taken a few turns. Most notably, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry weighed in on the situation – as well as AD Scott Woodward’s role – during a press conference Wednesday.

ESPN’s Booger McFarland, who played at LSU, reacted to it all. He questioned Landry’s involvement while also logging a prediction. He thinks the Tigers can find a “better coach.”

McFarland pointed out Kelly’s approach to running a program, which was a major shift from Ed Orgeron. Kelly is more of a CEO-style coach, which McFarland said ultimately played a role in his departure from LSU. By emphasizing relationships with players in its coaching search, he thinks the Tigers can find an upgrade in its search.

“Brian Kelly came to LSU as a CEO head coach, and I think his biggest downfall was the reason he got the job, which is he was the opposite of Coach O,” McFarland said Thursday on Pardon The Interruption. “He never really had a relationship with the players. He was a CEO – a top-down coach – he never got in the trenches with the guys. I think it’s going to be a relatively tall task to find a guy, maybe, as organized as BK. But I think we’ll find a players’ coach that’ll be better and will be a better fit down in Louisiana.

“See, when you coach in the South, it’s about fit. You have to be able to look your players in the eyes and relate to the players. I want somebody that’s going to be in the locker room with me, not somebody that calls down from the fifth floor to the locker room, if you follow. And I think when you’re in the Southeastern Conference, that’s the way it has to be.”

Booger McFarland: ‘LSU is the best job out there’

“Fit” was a big point of emphasis after Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge in December 2021. It has again been a talking point since his departure amid his fourth season in the role.

In the meantime, names such as Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman have come up as potential targets, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Booger McFarland acknowledged the list of high-profile candidates and reiterated he thinks LSU can find a strong successor to Kelly. That said, he also encouraged Landry to consider taking a step back.

“I know it’s a lot of names being thrown around,” McFarland said. “We’re a long way from this coaching search being over. But there’s no doubt in my mind LSU is the best job out there. I think when it comes to finances, when it comes to facilities, when it comes to recruiting, [LSU] is in the best position.

“Somebody just tell the governor, ‘Hey, pipe down a little bit. Worry about politics. Let the football people worry about football.’ But I truly believe LSU will be able to get a better coach for the reasons I laid out.”