LSU Cans Kelly

[PandamoniumReigns]

Saban ain't going to LSU. He retired once NIL started evening the playing field. He's a great coach, but benefitted from a program of paying players at a level no other school did.

Bama had it's run of players with behind the scenes NIL for years. Saban saw writing in the wall and quit before his record started to tarnish a bit.

 

[Carp]

The only place Saban's style didn't/wouldn't work was the pros. His high demands were suited to preparing the kids for a future, and not just football. And it was who he was. He made no excuses for it, and accepted nothing less from them. By and large, you don't have to be from a culture to work in a culture. But, you do have to be who you are. That will bring some level of moderate success just by itself. He's the model to study for any coach working outside their natural environment. And to osme degree, I'd even say Miles fits that model to study....before he made his bad choices anyway. He was a fish out of water, and won down south too. Myer wasn't a southern rooted coach and was a success by all means at UF. In those caes, they all were just who they were. CJH is not necessarily southern rooted. ND kid. Played on the outskirts of of the mid-south. Built his coaching in FL for a bit. But, he's not a pretender.

His NFL career might have gone much different if he had gotten Drew Brees like he wanted. Miami doctors didn't like his medicals and Saban didn't think the owners would approve it, so they pivoted to Culpepper.

 

[GVF]

His NFL career might have gone much different if he had gotten Drew Brees like he wanted. Miami doctors didn't like his medicals and Saban didn't think the owners would approve it, so they pivoted to Culpepper.

True. If anything Saban did prove at Bama with the changing game that he could still be Saban AND adapt each year. He just had less control over the roster in Miami. He probably could have reined in his Sabanism to suit a pro roster.

 

[Carp]

Saban ain't going to LSU. He retired once NIL started evening the playing field. He's a great coach, but benefitted from a program of paying players at a level no other school did.

Bama had it's run of players with behind the scenes NIL for years. Saban saw writing in the wall and quit before his record started to tarnish a bit.

I don't think Bama was playing players at any higher of a rate than anyone else during his run. Players came to Bama primarily to go to the NFL.

Saban was also able to take advantage of Urban leaving the SEC, leaving no other elite SEC coaches other than maybe Richt, Miles and Spurrier. And he only coached against Spurrier and Richt every few years.

 

[05_never_again]

Saban ain't going to LSU. He retired once NIL started evening the playing field. He's a great coach, but benefitted from a program of paying players at a level no other school did.

Bama had it's run of players with behind the scenes NIL for years. Saban saw writing in the wall and quit before his record started to tarnish a bit.

After NIL and the Portal became a thing in 2021, Saban went 36-6 with 2 CFP appearances and didn't have a finish outside the top 5.

It's quite possible he said "I'm 71; I don't want to deal with this new crap" and that pushed him into retirement, but he coached for 3 years in the Portal/NIL world before stepping out. One thing that he undoubtedly did benefit from, but the benefit would have continued as long as decided to keep coaching, was that guys took NIL discounts for the chance to play for him.

 

[GVF]

After NIL and the Portal became a thing in 2021, Saban went 36-6 with 2 CFP appearances and didn't have a finish outside the top 5.

It's quite possible he said "I'm 71; I don't want to deal with this new crap" and that pushed him into retirement, but he coached for 3 years in the Portal/NIL world before stepping out. One thing that he undoubtedly did benefit from, but the benefit would have continued as long as decided to keep coaching, was that guys took NIL discounts for the chance to play for him.

True. Saban's legend, as regimented as he was, is that he could and would adapt as long as he didn't have to "change". I just don't think he really had anything left to accomplish goal wise. It will be decades before anyone even comes close to him in the record books again, if ever. He firmly has his place. So he walked, and makes Game Day with McAfee palatable.

His system was 1.) Put you in the NFL if you've got it and 2.) Teach you how to make it in life if don't have NFL skills. It was a win-win for his players. If you could survive his 4 year boot camp, you had connections for life.

 

[Carp]

I think more than anything, Saban didn't like having to re-recruit his own guys. I think every single coach has complained about it since this era began. Having to manage a NIL budget and also manage player egos relating to how much they are getting paid is something that I imagine Saban likely didn't have much interest in doing.

 

[jmacvols1]

 

[volfanhill]

He has a duty to mitigate.

I don't think his ego will allow him to not coach.

But that doesn't mean much. “I interviewed and didn't think it would be a good fit.”

 

[GVF]

I think more than anything, Saban didn't like having to re-recruit his own guys. I think every single coach has complained about it since this era began. Having to manage a NIL budget and also manage player egos relating to how much they are getting paid is something that I imagine Saban likely didn't have much interest in doing.

There's alot to that, for all of them. Reality was, he should never have had to re-recruit. You're playing for Saban for Pete's sake. You only needed one season under him to get drafted. I've seen several of his post coaching interviews and stuff. IIRC, he has kind of eluded to that notion of having to re-recruit, but never said direct as such that I recall. But, the between the lines are there. But, his opinion, of how the paying has developed is well documented. He let it rip on that topic in Saturday's Vandy Game Day. He's not against NIL being a marketing revenue for the players. But, he believes NIL should be used as NIL and is mis-handled. And he's not against revenue sharing or players getting paid. He believes they should. He's 120% against the way it is happening and is very vocal about that. And he beleives it's gonna take federal regulation to get it how it should be.

 

[GVF]

That's funny.

 

[GVF]

He has a duty to mitigate.

I don't think his ego will allow him to not coach.

True. He's underperformed of late, but he is a Type A coach. And salvageable if he desires to rebound. Those guys just don't walk at his age if someone is willing to offer.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

I hear Billy Napier is available

He'd be a lot better than these yankee poser self-promoters that they keep falling for. Maybe they'll go for Butch Jones?

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Is LSU the best opening?

LOL ...

 

[jmacvols1]

 

[GVF]

Sloans play calling didn't do Kelly's employment any big favors.

 

[Oldvoldad]

Another one bites the dust.

LSU fires head coach Brian Kelly

.

www.on3.com

Man, If I could figure a way to get just one major college contract.

 

[YankeeVol]

This is one of three jobs that would concern me with Heupel. Not saying he will leave or has any interest, but it would make a ton of sense for LSU to give him a call.

I can promise you he's not even on the list

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

VT fans are dreaming big!​

​

Breaking Down Josh Heupel as the Potential Next Virginia Tech Head Coach​

Story by James Duncan



After parting ways with Brent Pry, Virginia Tech is hunting for its next head coach to reignite a frustrated fanbase. One long-shot option is the current head coach of Tennessee, Josh Heupel. He is a bright offensive mind who knows what it takes to win against the top programs in the country.

He left Oklahoma in 2014 and was hired as the assistant head coach at Utah State. His time there was brief, as he left after one season to become the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for Missouri.
He finally got his opportunity as a head coach in 2018 when UCF hired him. Heupel found immediate success with the Knights, as they finished 12-1, finishing 11th in the final AP Poll. UCF was 6th in the country in points that year, averaging 43.2 points a game. In the three seasons Heupel was at UCF, his offenses averaged over 40 points a game in each season.
He continued having an explosive offense when Tennessee hired him in 2021. In his first year, his offense was seventh in the country in points, averaging 29.3 a game. His best season with the Vols came in 2022, when his team finished 11-2 and sixth in the AP Poll. The offense, led by Hendon Hooker, was first in the country in points per game with 46.1.

Pluses:​

• Offensive Pedigree: There is no question that Heupel is one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. His teams consistently run up the scoreboard on their opponents. At Tennessee in 2022, his offense led the nation in scoring (46.1 points per game) and total offense (525.5 yards per game). For Virginia Tech, having an offense that can keep up with some of the best teams in the ACC would be invaluable to have.
• Proven Program Builder: Before Heupel was hired by Tennessee, the Vols struggled to keep up with the best the SEC has to offer. The year prior to Heupell’s hiring, Tennessee finished 3-7, averaging only 21.5 points a game. He built more than wins and points on the board. He built culture, habits and accountability.
• Recruiting Expert: Under Heupel at Tennessee, the 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top 10 in the nation, landing multiple five-star and four-star recruits. Heupel has the ability to not only land top recruits that are in-state, but also out of state. Virginia Tech has struggled to recruit Virginia well, and having someone like Heupel could help with that.

Minuses:​

• Tied down at Tennessee: This is less so a coaching flaw, but it should be noted that Heupell was extended at Tennessee through 2030, so if Virginia Tech truly wants him now, it will have to be prepared for a large contract buy-out. Even if Virginia Tech had the money to pay it, it is unlikely that Tennessee would want to part ways with Heupell.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel greets fans along the Vol Walk for the NCAA college football game against Arkansas on Oct. 11, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Is he a realistic option?​

It is incredibly unlikely that Heupell will be the next coach of Virginia Tech. His contract extension at Tennessee shows that he will be there for the foreseeable future. If something unexpected happens and Tennessee parts ways with Heupel this season, the Hokies should pursue him aggressively.

More Virginia Tech Football News:​

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/virginiatech as Breaking Down Josh Heupel as the Potential Next Virginia Tech Head Coach.

 

[zjcvols]

VT fans are dreaming big!​

​

Breaking Down Josh Heupel as the Potential Next Virginia Tech Head Coach​

Story by James Duncan

View attachment 785254

After parting ways with Brent Pry, Virginia Tech is hunting for its next head coach to reignite a frustrated fanbase. One long-shot option is the current head coach of Tennessee, Josh Heupel. He is a bright offensive mind who knows what it takes to win against the top programs in the country.

He left Oklahoma in 2014 and was hired as the assistant head coach at Utah State. His time there was brief, as he left after one season to become the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for Missouri.
He finally got his opportunity as a head coach in 2018 when UCF hired him. Heupel found immediate success with the Knights, as they finished 12-1, finishing 11th in the final AP Poll. UCF was 6th in the country in points that year, averaging 43.2 points a game. In the three seasons Heupel was at UCF, his offenses averaged over 40 points a game in each season.
He continued having an explosive offense when Tennessee hired him in 2021. In his first year, his offense was seventh in the country in points, averaging 29.3 a game. His best season with the Vols came in 2022, when his team finished 11-2 and sixth in the AP Poll. The offense, led by Hendon Hooker, was first in the country in points per game with 46.1.

Pluses:​

• Offensive Pedigree: There is no question that Heupel is one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. His teams consistently run up the scoreboard on their opponents. At Tennessee in 2022, his offense led the nation in scoring (46.1 points per game) and total offense (525.5 yards per game). For Virginia Tech, having an offense that can keep up with some of the best teams in the ACC would be invaluable to have.
• Proven Program Builder: Before Heupel was hired by Tennessee, the Vols struggled to keep up with the best the SEC has to offer. The year prior to Heupell’s hiring, Tennessee finished 3-7, averaging only 21.5 points a game. He built more than wins and points on the board. He built culture, habits and accountability.
• Recruiting Expert: Under Heupel at Tennessee, the 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top 10 in the nation, landing multiple five-star and four-star recruits. Heupel has the ability to not only land top recruits that are in-state, but also out of state. Virginia Tech has struggled to recruit Virginia well, and having someone like Heupel could help with that.

Minuses:​

• Tied down at Tennessee: This is less so a coaching flaw, but it should be noted that Heupell was extended at Tennessee through 2030, so if Virginia Tech truly wants him now, it will have to be prepared for a large contract buy-out. Even if Virginia Tech had the money to pay it, it is unlikely that Tennessee would want to part ways with Heupell.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel greets fans along the Vol Walk for the NCAA college football game against Arkansas on Oct. 11, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Is he a realistic option?​

It is incredibly unlikely that Heupell will be the next coach of Virginia Tech. His contract extension at Tennessee shows that he will be there for the foreseeable future. If something unexpected happens and Tennessee parts ways with Heupel this season, the Hokies should pursue him aggressively.

More Virginia Tech Football News:​

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/virginiatech as Breaking Down Josh Heupel as the Potential Next Virginia Tech Head Coach.

Heupel could lose the rest of his games this year (including New Mexico State!) and he'd be the coach next year. Just insane clickbait.

 

[Vol737]

Is LSU still buying out Orgeron, too? It’s getting expensive in Baton Rouge.

 

[woodpusher]

You say that, but one of our franchisees said the other day that Louisiana just raised their sales tax to almost 11%.

It looks like it's 5% statewide. The city and/or parish added on another 6%.

 

[tennrich1]

View attachment 785112

You can talk rudely and with contempt to the media, players, coaches etc BUT NEVER TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE. See ya!

 

[tennrich1]

Any school going after Kiffin will have to wait at minimum until New Years given the playoff schedule. Gonna be interesting to see if Florida and LSU are willing to wait that long.

I’d imagine the agent would handle that under extreme covert meetings and have it worked out before then. But technically that’s correct. Rebels still have to beat State in Iron bowl though. And Luebby can scheme with the best. Should have beaten Texas Saturday.

 

[Pennheel]

If Kiffin wants the challenge with very high expectations (almost more than Alabama at this point) then LSU is the job for him. That and if Ole Miss doesn't match the money LSU hypothetically offers. After Coach O and now Kelly with these buyouts,the AD must be made of money.

He could want to build something at Ole Miss.