LSU makes top flight hire by bringing back Pelini

It was a case of temporary purple and gold angst.

When Dave Aranda departed LSU to become the new head coach at Baylor, there was concern that the program would have a hard time replacing someone as talented and as experienced as Aranda.

Instead, Ed Orgeron hired a coordinator who has coached a national championship defense at LSU as well as someone with a much thicker resume’ as a head coach.

Dave Aranda may be a very good head coach at Baylor. Right now, it is an unknown.

Pelini had seven consecutive seasons with nine wins or more while in charge at Nebraska. He was fired after the athletic director there said the school needed someone who could win championships.

Since Pelini departed, Nebraska has had just one nine-win season in the last five. At Youngstown State, Pelini coached the Penguins to the 2016 FCS national championship game.

So, let’s see.

Aranda leaves, and his replacement happens to have already had three great defenses at LSU, has won in two places as a head coach and doesn’t have to learn about life at LSU.

He already knows it.

For Pelini, the upside is obvious. He makes a boatload of cash (about $2 million per season), he works for an established head coach and he coaches some of the most talented players in the country.

Of course, if Pelini has success such as LSU returning to the College Football Playoff and/or winning another national championship, he can be a head coach again in a Power 5 league again if he so desires.

If Pelini does depart at some time in the future, LSU will have no trouble filling his spot.

Coaches who are climbing the ladder understand that when LSU won, Aranda and passing game coordinator Joe Brady parlayed that success into bigger jobs.

In 2006 and 2007 under Pelini, LSU led the SEC in scoring defense. When LSU won the 2007 BCS national championship, the Tigers forced 36 turnovers to rank third nationally.

So, when LSU goes to Auburn or to Tuscaloosa, they will be no learning curve for Pelini.

Been there, done that.

Starkville, Mississippi? Check. Been there. SEC Championship Game? Did that too, twice (2005 and 2007).

Orgeron has made as quality a hire as he can. Remember that the next time a top flight assistant leaves Baton Rouge.

LSU has the cash and the cache to hire the best.