by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Now....before we all psych ourselves up about the third strong DC candidate for LSU's football squad, we must realize...striking out on a third straight guy would be a big blow, not only in optics to make recruits & their parents antsy but in the grand scheme of LSU's program health.
Making sure LSU hire the right defensive coordinator is paramount to the Tigers' success over the next 5 seasons....specifically, if Orgeron hits a wall on the DC hire again, he'll face a mountain of criticism, fairly or unfairly.
No question, the next person brought in carries the weight of the Orgeron administration's fate in the eyes of many across college football, even within the fanbase.
It's true...the stakes are incredibly high. Coach O has to get this right or questions will be raised about those he surrounds himself with.
For instance, 104.5 personality Matt Moscana went after the integrity of Derek Ponamsky's vetting process; Ponamsky was once a 104.5 co-worker and friend of Moscana's who's now Orgeron's chosen special assistant at LSU since 2017 and has done an impeccable job.
Sure, questions must arise about the Nielsen clause, but are we blaming Ponamsky for what Nielsen and his lawyers should've been more forthcoming about in the first place?
There are whispers, even now, that LSU has "found their man" with this whipped up Tigers fanbase who want their DC now about to geaux into a frenzied debate and overblown analysis into every fiber of the human being hired by Coach O.
Well, I don't blame Tiger fans...I never want to see that 124th ranked national defense again, either....ban that ghostly evil to hell...
But just as Coach O brought in brilliant hires with Jake Peetz and D.J Mangas on offense, I believe he'll make the smart move on defense....there's only so many names out there and so many qualified candidates.
We know the profile...we stated it on this very site's writings: 30-45 (older Dick Vermeil-types are applicable), National Championship / Super Bowl winning pedigree, intense and proven recruiter, SEC background isn't a necessity but it is preferred...who does this sound like to you???
There's only one big ringer that hits my ears and it's Glenn Schumann from Georgia...they call him "Shu" around the facility in Athens, but at LSU Odyssey we'll call him a "Shu-in" for the gig as DC for LSU...if he wants it.
Is LSU pursuing him??
LSU Odyssey can confirm the Tigers did contact Glenn Schumann about the defensive coordinator position, we'll see what transpires with the aligning reports of "LSU having their man"...time will tell...
I'm also hearing about Orgeron looking through the NFL and I was explicitly told Eric Washington's name from Buffalo is a serious contender for the spot as well. Obviously who knows if LSU are trying the back room process ala Nielsen (I doubt it, nothing has come down about that unless they're doing it right), but my money is if they like Washington they wait until Buffalo drop out or win the Super Bowl.
So we got Glenn Schumann who is not only talking to LSU but whispers about Washington's involvement...this is intriguing. My money is heavily on Schumann, though. I'm hearing he's wanting out of Georgia and has been preparing for his exit for a season now.
I can now report there's some serious signs Schumann and LSU's talks have advanced more secretly than the other two, with less fanfare, although with more intensity.
I'm told from a big league source "Orgeron always had eyes for Schumann.."
UPDATE: LSU is interviewing Vikings' DBs Coach Daronte Jones for the DC job on Sunday...does this mean Schumann and Kirby Smart's agent Jimmy Sexton axed this deal or was there ever a good fit? Interesting news. This comes from a suggestion by Mickey Joseph to pursue Daronte Jones, who worked with Mickey and actually his brother Vance and former LSU DC Dave Aranda as well...
Is Daronte the guy? Or simply another interview? I like this guy...
However there seems to be a baseball analogy some keep referring back to...one strike on Freeman, two strikes with Nielsen...three strikes and....we're out?
LET'S GEAUX COACH, GET OUR GUY!!
BLACK LIVES MATTER
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC
SHOUTOUTS: THANK YOU TO DANIEL JONES MY FRIEND FOR NOW 17 YEARS! LOVE YA BRO! SHOUTOUT TO DONOVAN MITCHELL FOR NOT GIVING INTO SHAQ. SHAME ON SHAQ, THAT'S NOT LSU BRO...COME ON...