Source: Ed Orgeron is LSU's clear 'backup plan' after Tom Herman
— -- LSU?interim coach Ed Orgeron is the Tigers' clear-cut "backup plan" if the school is unable to hire Houston's Tom Herman, a source said.
Orgeron met with LSU officials Friday, a source said.
"The meeting went really well," the source said. "If Herman says yes, he'll be LSU's coach. If not, all signs point to 'Coach O.'"
LSU has zeroed in on Herman and could have a deal in place as early as Saturday, ESPN's Chris Low reported Thursday, confirming a report by HornsDigest.com. However, another source said that Herman has not ruled out an offer from Texas, which has been expected to make him its top choice if Charlie Strong is fired as head coach.
One thing is certain, multiple sources said: Friday's 48-44 loss at Memphis was likely Herman's final game with the Cougars.
"I think he's definitely gone," a source close to Herman said. "To where? I don't know."
USA Today Sports reported that Herman met with LSU officials on Thursday afternoon.
Herman is in his second season as Houston's coach.?
A source told ESPN's Sam Khan Jr. that Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek met with Tom Herman's agent, Trace Armstrong, earlier this week and offered a contract extension that would include a seven-figure raise. Herman currently makes $2.8 million annually and is the highest-paid coach at a Group of 5 conference school.
If Orgeron gets the full-time job at LSU, he would try to hire Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin as his offensive coordinator and keep LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, TheAdvocate.com reported.
Several Tigers players, meanwhile, voiced support for Orgeron following Thursday's regular-season finale against Texas A&M (a 54-39 LSU win), urging the school to make him its next head coach.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live