“REPORT: Not Nick Saban – These Are the 4 Coaches GM Verge Ausberry Is Targeting to Replace Frank Wilson at LSU Tigers”
Baton Rouge, LA — As the LSU Tigers brace for another seismic shift within the program, new reports confirm that GM Verge Ausberry has begun formal evaluations for the next full-time head coach — and despite fan speculation and online fantasies, Nick Saban is not on the target list.
Instead, LSU’s front office has quietly narrowed its focus to four high-level candidates who fit Ausberry’s blueprint for LSU’s future: discipline, SEC toughness, recruiting power, and long-term stability.
Sources close to the program describe the search as “methodical, aggressive, and bigger than any coaching search LSU has conducted since 2016.”
Below are the four coaches Ausberry has identified as legitimate replacements for interim head coach Frank Wilson — each bringing a different kind of firepower to Tiger Stadium.
1. Lane Kiffin (Head Coach, Ole Miss)
Widely considered the favorite among boosters, Lane Kiffin is the boldest and most explosive name on the list.
Under Kiffin, Ole Miss has become one of the SEC’s most dynamic offenses and a top-10 recruiting threat. LSU insiders say Ausberry sees Kiffin as the “perfect blend of swagger, creativity, and SEC experience.”
But landing him won’t be easy — Kiffin’s contract at Ole Miss is enormous, and multiple insiders say LSU would need to offer over $100 million to lure him away.
Still, multiple boosters are reportedly ready to write checks.
“If LSU wants fireworks, this is the hire,” one SEC executive said.
2. Mike Norvell (Head Coach, Florida State)
A major surprise on the list, Mike Norvell has rebuilt Florida State into a national powerhouse.
LSU is drawn to:
-
His program-building ability
-
His player development success
-
His steady leadership style
-
His proven national résumé
Ausberry and Norvell reportedly have a strong professional relationship, increasing LSU’s confidence in a potential negotiation.
3. Marcus Freeman (Head Coach, Notre Dame)
In a twist of irony, the man who replaced Brian Kelly at Notre Dame is now a serious candidate to replace Brian Kelly again — this time in Baton Rouge.
Freeman brings elite defensive knowledge and a clean, respected image within college football. LSU sees him as a stabilizing presence who could restore the culture and accountability that’s been missing.
“He’s a leader young men follow — no ego, no theatrics,” one LSU official noted.
Notre Dame, however, will fight hard to keep him.
4. Glenn Schumann (Co-Defensive Coordinator, Georgia)
If LSU wants the next Kirby Smart, they might hire the man viewed as his heir.
Glenn Schumann, only 34, is one of the brightest defensive minds in college football. He has masterminded multiple championship defenses and is widely respected as a recruiting force.
Ausberry reportedly loves Schumann’s IQ, youth, energy, and long-term potential.
This would be a “future dynasty” hire — the type LSU made when they brought in Nick Saban in 2000.
What This Means for LSU
The message from Verge Ausberry is clear:
LSU is not looking for flash — they’re looking for the architect of the next era.
Frank Wilson remains the interim head coach, but insiders believe LSU wants new leadership in place by early December to protect recruiting momentum and stabilize NIL operations.
For now, Tiger Nation waits — and speculates — as the program stares down one of the most critical decisions in its modern history.
One thing is certain:
**Nick Saban isn’t coming.
But LSU’s next big-name coach might already be on Ausberry’s shortlist — and the SEC is watching every move.
