Potential LSU offensive and defensive coordinator candidates

LSU head coach Brian Kelly is entering a pivotal third offseason in Baton Rouge. Not only must he replace 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and talented wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, but Kelly must also hire two coordinators to lead the Tigers in 2024.

Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was hired by Notre Dame for the same position on Dec. WHEN. On Wednesday, Kelly released a statement announcing the firing of defensive coordinator Matt House, whose unit struggled mightily in 2023.

Who Kelly hires will go a long way to determining how LSU fares next season. Here are six candidates - three potential defensive coordinators and three potential offensive coordinators - LSU should target for its openings.

Defensive coordinator

1. Michigan co-defensive coordinator/defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale 

Clinkscale is no stranger to the SEC after spending time coaching as the defensive backs coach at Kentucky (2016-20). Per his Michigan bio, the Wildcats' pass defense ranked first in the SEC during his last two seasons in Lexington. He joined Michigan in 2021, and the defense has finished in the top 10 in scoring every season since. Clinkscale helped turn the Wolverines' secondary into a strength, with Will Johnson, Rod Moore, and Mike Sainristil all developing into outstanding corners under his watch.

2. Notre Dame cornerbacks coach/defensive passing game coordinator Mike Mickens 

Mickens was an excellent defensive back for Kelly at Cincinnati from 2007-08, Kelly's first two seasons with the Bearcats. He also was hired by Kelly to become Notre Dame's cornerbacks coach in 2020. This season, the Fighting Irish tied for seventh in points allowed (15.9 points per game) and ranked third against the pass (157.3 yards per game), nearly 100 yards better than the Tigers, which ranked 118th in pass defense (255.6 yards per game).

3. Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach 

Could LSU look to its biggest rival to fix its defense? If so, Roach would arguably be the most intriguing member of Nick Saban's coaching staff at Alabama for LSU to pluck. Roach played for the Tide from 2002-05, so he's probably not itching to make a move, but it would be difficult for any coach to pass up a promotion. LSU's pass rush production dipped in 2023, with Pro Football Focus crediting the Tigers with 191 total pressures, compared to 255 by Tide defenders.

Offensive coordinator

1. LSU passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton 

Hankton arrived in Baton Rouge in 2022 after spending time on Georgia's staff from 2018-21. He's done an impeccable job maintaining LSU's place among the best destinations for elite wide receiver recruits, with junior wideouts Nabers (1,569 yards) and Thomas (17 touchdowns) leading the NCAA in key receiving categories. Hankton served as co-offensive coordinator during LSU's 35-31 ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin, helping engineer an offensive plan that resulted in 492 total yards.

2. Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli 

Kelly and Guidugli have never served on the same staff but have many connections that could lead to a union at LSU. Guidugli was Cincinnati's quarterback from 2001-04, three years before Kelly took over as Bearcats head coach. As a coach, Guidugli's made many of the same stops Kelly has, from Central Michigan, where he began as a graduate assistant, to Cincinnati's offensive coordinator and his current position on Notre Dame's staff.

3. LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan 

Sloan served as co-offensive coordinator alongside Hankton during LSU's bowl win, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier's strong outing (31-of-45, 395 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) might give Kelly all the reason he needs to promote Sloan. His work coaching Daniels can't go unnoticed, either. Sloan has certainly earned the right to be considered for LSU's offensive coordinator position, and it wouldn't be a surprise for him to get the promotion or, at the very least, enter the 2024 season leading the offense with Hankton.