LSU Football Next Head Coach Odds: New Favorites Emerge for Tigers Head Coaching Job

The coaching carousel is in full swing this fall with multiple premier programs in search of new decision-makers heading into the 2026 season.

Following the move to relieve Brian Kelly of his duties in Baton Rouge, the LSU Tigers joined the party as a top available school looking for a new head coach.

LSU, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, and Arkansas are among the top vacancies in college football with the rumor mill swirling as potential candidates are mentioned left and right.

For the LSU Tigers, the school has remained in the spotlight ever since Kelly's firing with the university pressing the reset button on the athletic department.

The LSU administration put together a search committee with newly appointed athletics director Verge Ausberry set to spearhead the group looking for a new decision-maker.

Scott Ballard: Chairman of the board
John Carmouche: Chairman of athletics
Ben Bordelon: Ex-LSU football player and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards
E.J. Kleeper: CEO of Our Lady of the Lake
Verge Ausberry: Athletic Director

LSU President Wade Rousse has also been added to the coaching search committee after being elected last week.

Now, the potential candidates are rolling in with Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Tulane's Jon Sumrall, and Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham among the names that has social media swirling.

One thing is clear for the Tigers: Kiffin is a top candidate with the program rolling out the red carpet for the hottest name on the market.

In what has become a three-team battle between the Ole Miss Rebels, LSU Tigers, and Florida Gators, the trio of SEC programs are looking to have his services in 2026.

“I don’t know. I’m not that far down the road,” Kiffin said on Monday of his future. “I said it last week and you guys think I was joking, or it was before South Carolina. Everybody wants to talk about other jobs and everything and I think you are two or three weeks away from coaching for your own job.

"So, you better make sure you’re doing really well where you are. Because as we’ve seen out there, one (loss) might put you out of the top-10. Now two might put you out of the Top 25 and three might get you fired.

"So, I ain’t figured all that out. I’m trying to keep our winning streak, get to 8-0 at home.”

Ole Miss Rebels Football. — Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

But there are betting favorites emerging for the LSU Tigers job with multiple new names added to the list, according to BetOnline.

Along with BetOnline, Kalshi has adjusted their prediction machine with new names to monitor as the coaching search intensifies.

What is Kalshi? Kalshi is a regulated exchange and prediction market where you can trade on the outcome of real-world events - Buy and sell Event Contracts.

LSU Tigers Next Head Coach Odds [BetOnline]:

1. Nick Saban: +200
2. Lane Kiffin: +450
3. Clark Lea: +500
4. Kelvin Sheppard: +500
5. Joe Brady: +650

The new name to know, according to BetOnline, is Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard as his odds have increased dramatically over the last 24 hours.

Detroit Lions Football. — Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard reacts to a play against Cleveland Browns next to head coach Dan Campbell during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Kalshi Prediction Machine:

Lane Kiffin: 32 percent
Nick Saban: 13 percent
Jon Sumrall: 11 percent

As the rumor mill swirls, it's clear Kiffin is the top target, but multiple candidates remain in touch with the LSU administration while the vetting process slowly turns into interviews in the coming days.

More LSU News:

Elite LSU Football Commit Reaffirms Pledge Despite Ohio State, Ole Miss Pushing

Five Players LSU Football Must Keep After Brian Kelly's Firing, Including DJ Pickett

ESPN Insider Labels Lane Kiffin 'Top Target' for LSU Football, Florida Gators

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.