LSU Next Head Coach Odds: Jon Sumrall of Tulane, Joe Brady of Bills Among Top Candidates to Replace Brian Kelly
The LSU Tigers fired Brian Kelly in a bit of a surprising move on Sunday night, just hours after a disastrous loss to the Texas A&M Aggies. Kelly found success with the Tigers, but could never take them to an elite level championship contender. With some big names in the mix, who will take over for Kelly? Peter Alexis breaks down the LSU Next Head Coach odds as of Monday, October 27th.
Peter Alexis - October 27, 2025, 3:20 PM EDT
5 Minute ReadLSU Next Head Coach Odds: Who Will Replace Brian Kelly As LSU Tigers Head Coach?
LSU has the coaching carousel spinning again after Brian Kelly was fired Sunday night, ending a three-and-a-half-year run that never quite met expectations in Baton Rouge. Kelly leaves with a 34-14 record, two double-digit win seasons, and flashes of success, but he failed to deliver the playoff appearances LSU fans demand. A porous defense and the nation’s 82nd-ranked offense were the final straws for athletic director Scott Woodward, who now faces one of the biggest hires of his tenure. LSU remains one of the premier jobs in college football, and the Tigers are expected to make a big splash to get back among the national contenders.
This move comes during a chaotic stretch across the sport, with several major programs already in the market for new leadership. Florida, Penn State, Arkansas, and now LSU all have vacancies, while rumblings suggest Auburn and Florida State could soon join them if Hugh Freeze and Mike Norvell can’t stabilize their situations. That volume of openings has raised concerns about the supply of elite candidates—especially as programs with deep pockets compete for a limited group of proven head coaches. LSU’s resources and national brand give it an advantage, but this cycle could turn into a true bidding war for top talent.
With that context, let’s examine the latest odds for LSU’s next head coach following Kelly’s firing. Jon Sumrall leads the board at +150, followed by Joe Brady (+200), Lane Kiffin (+350), James Franklin (+500), and Eli Drinkwitz (+700).
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LSU Next Head Coach Odds
Coach | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
Jon Sumrall | +150 | 40% |
Joe Brady | +200 | 33.3% |
Lane Kiffin | +350 | 22.2% |
James Franklin | +500 | 16.7% |
Eli Drinkwitz | +700 | 12.5% |
Jeff Brohm | +1200 | 7.7% |
Brent Key | +1200 | 7.7% |
Jimbo Fisher | +1600 | 5.9% |
Clark Lea | +2000 | 4.8% |
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Jon Sumrall +150 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Sumrall has quickly emerged as the favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The Tulane head coach has built a powerhouse at the Group of Five level, compiling a 15-6 record in just over a season with the Green Wave after going 23-4 at Troy. His in-state presence and deep ties to the recruiting landscape make him an attractive option for LSU, which values local familiarity and player development. Sumrall has won everywhere he’s been, and while he’ll almost certainly be poached by a bigger school soon, LSU must decide whether he’s ready for an SEC giant this early in his career.
Joe Brady +200 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Joe Brady sits just behind at +200, and his name carries instant nostalgia in Baton Rouge. Now the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Brady played a key role in LSU’s historic 2019 championship run as the Tigers’ passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. He helped develop Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase into superstars, and his offensive mind could immediately rejuvenate LSU’s struggling attack. The question is whether he’s ready to return to the college grind—or if the Tigers can lure him away from a promising NFL trajectory.
Lane Kiffin +350 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Lane Kiffin at +350 is another intriguing possibility. He’s reportedly Florida’s top target, but LSU’s opening changes that dynamic. Baton Rouge offers greater tradition, resources, and potential pay, making this job a more enticing challenge. While Kiffin may not be the perfect cultural fit, his offensive innovation and SEC experience would make LSU instantly competitive again. Given his success at Ole Miss, it’s realistic that LSU could make a stronger push for him than Florida can.
James Franklin +500, Eli Drinkwitz +700 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
James Franklin (+500) and Eli Drinkwitz (+700) round out the list. Franklin’s name continues to pop up for nearly every SEC vacancy since his firing at Penn State, but LSU might not be the best landing spot given his recruiting ties lie mostly in the Northeast. Drinkwitz, meanwhile, has guided Missouri to national relevance despite injuries and could end up a prime candidate elsewhere, possibly Florida if Kiffin stays put. For now, LSU’s search starts with Sumrall and Brady—but in a year this unpredictable, the carousel is just getting started.
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