Update: Who’s left as LSU defensive coordinator candidates

In their quest to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy, LSU was left at the altar Tuesday by Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen. Now where do they go?

The clock has been ticking longer than expected but it is a vitally important hire so time doesn’t matter so much as long as they get it right. A lot is at stake for head coach Ed Orgeron and the Tigers’ program for the seeable future.

I’ll give you some names who may be under consideration next, although if you happened to read my December 26th article concerning this search, some names will look familiar.

Kris Richard

The 41-year old spent six seasons in the NFL as a defensive back. He played for USC while Orgeron was on staff. Richard served as DBs coach under Pete Carroll at USC and later with the Seattle Seahawks for eight years before working as their defensive coordinator for the final three (2015-’17). He moved on to the Cowboys as defensive play caller as well but now the sides have parted ways.

Jeremy Pruitt

Yes, we mentioned his name in the previous article, but at that time he was still the head coach at Tennessee. The 46-year old was dismissed this week from Tennessee amid allegations of recruiting violations. Fired with cause is not a good look for him obviously.

His record as head coach at the Vols was terrible but Pruitt has been a successful defensive coordinator at Georgia, Alabama and Florida State where the Seminoles won a National title in 2013. As a player, Pruitt transferred from Middle Tennessee State to Alabama, playing defensive back for Gene Stallings in ’95 and ’96. The following season, he served as student assistant under defensive backs coach Curley Hallman at Alabama. He is certainly in the market for work.

Brad Lambert

The former head coach of Charlotte (2011-’18) arrived at Marshall in ’19 and helped the Thundering Herd rank among the top defenses in all of college football in 2020. He gets the most out of his players. Lambert was also Wake Forest’s defensive coordinator 2008-’10.

As for named less prominent, here are a couple who could pop up on LSU’s radar.

Matt Burke

The 17-year NFL veteran coach and Jim Schwartz disciple was a walk on at Dartmouth. He learned the game under Schwartz, considered one of the best defensive coordinators ever. Burke was linebackers coach for Detroit before holding same spot with Bengals and Dolphins. He was Miami’s defensive coordinator 2017-’18.

The 44 year old has recently worked as a Philadelphia Eagles defensive special assistant, although many feel he has been the Eagles defensive coordinator in waiting once Schwartz stepped down. That has happened this month as the Eagles now look for a new head coach. If Burke doesn’t land the gig in Philly, he could be a one-year rental in Baton Rouge. As a result, it’s unlikely for the hire to occur but not impossible.

Dave Borgonzi

The 38 years old who just completed his third season as the Colts linebackers coach already has 14 seasons of NFL experience. He previously served as a Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant (2011-’13) and Buccaneers quality control (2014-’17) prior to landing with Colts. Borgonzi has a promising defensive mind but lacks the experience as a coordinator.

Eric Washington

The Buffalo Bills defensive line coach is preparing his troops for an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl if the Bills can beat the favored Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. But the 51-year old Shreveport native could be receiving a phone call from LSU soon with an offer to be the new defensive coordinator. I’m not certain how much reciprocal interest there is currently as such a mega game is in the offing, but Washington has the credentials.

He played high school football at Northwood High School and competed for the well-known Chief Caddo statue in the annual Northwood-North Caddo rivalry. Washington also played tight end at Grambling for legendary head coach Eddie Robinson in 1989 and ’90.

Since 2008, Washington has been coaching in the NFL. Initially serving as a Chicago Bears defensive assistant (2008-’09(, he became the Bears’ defensive line coach (2010) and served in the same role for the Carolina Panthers during a large portion of the Ron Rivera era before being promoted to defensive coordinator 2018-’19.

This past season, Washington joined the Bills. He is highly regarded by Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. That could pose a problem, since LSU has already been blocked from pilfering an assistant coach from another NFL club down I-10. However, Washington would likely gain a promotion ala Ryan Nielsen in New Orleans to be kept from such an opportunity.

Whomever LSU talks next will be a fourth or fifth option in the process. There may have to be some concessions made. It could be someone who will be in Tigertown for one season. It could be a Group of 5 coordinator who’s name won’t exactly excite the casual fan.

At this point, the ball is in LSU’s court, or should I say Ed Orgeron’s. It will take some good fortune to get the right guy in the end so continued patience in this process is needed, knowing what is at stake.

The right decision is more important than a quick decision.