After parting ways with Brian Kelly, LSU turned to a familiar face. Frank Wilson, the team’s RBs coach, was named interim HC, as Wilson knows LSU inside and out. He’s in his 10th season with the program, having served six years from 2010 to 2015 before returning in 2022 for Kelly’s first season. Still, stepping into a head coaching role is no small task. But Wilson is pulling out all the stops to get the best out of his players. That’s why a former LSU star has stepped up in full support.

On Tuesday, former LSU player and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark shared a glimpse of Wilson’s efforts with a video clip, captioned, “The doors of the church are back open!!”

Resharing the post on Wednesday, another former LSU star, Jacob Hester, highlighted Wilson’s dedication, writing, “Frank’s been calling former players this week just to welcome them in and remind them he’ll do literally everything he can to honor what it means to coach the Tigers.” And the 2007 National Champion, who rushed for 1,103 yards and 13 total TDs, perfectly captured Wilson’s passion.

After three and a half rollercoaster seasons, motivating players by bringing former Tigers back into the fold is no small feat. He’s reaching out to those who once felt the pressure under LSU’s bright lights. That’s why Hester’s words carry so much weight. “That man loves LSU and Louisiana with all his heart,” wrote the former LSU HC.

Even Wilson embraced his Louisiana roots, promising in his first press conference to lead LSU with pride. “I will do my very best and die trying to represent us as a university, as a state, as a community, the best of my ability, with dignity, with honor, with pride, the way LSU has always been and will always be,” said Wilson. Honestly, it makes sense, given that head coaching experience is already under his belt.

In 2016, Wilson took over UTSA, replacing Larry Coker, and wasted no time making history. He led the Roadrunners to their first-ever bowl appearance in his first season. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Wilson’s time at UTSA ended in 2019, and then he carried his leadership to McNeese State, guiding the Cowboys from 2020 to 2021. Soon after, he returned home to LSU, joining Kelly’s staff.

While stepping in as interim HC doesn’t faze Frank Wilson, since he’s no stranger to leadership, Hester has already hinted at their next HC. “Outside of my family, there’s nothing I love more than LSU. Every opportunity I’ve had in life is b/c of LSU. The next coach needs to share that same passion. Our DNA was always mean, nasty, and tough. When you played the Tigers, you felt it – it was non-negotiable,” said Hester.

While Wilson may have that potential, LSU hasn’t halted its search for a steady hand at HC for the long term.

Frank Wilson’s LSU has plenty of potential candidates for HC

Brian Kelly’s departure has left Death Valley searching for a new leader, and the race heats up. Jon Sumrall of Tulane is currently the frontrunner, holding +150 odds to step into the spotlight, according to BetOnline. Hot on his heels is Joe Brady, who helped LSU capture a title and now runs a top NFL offense. And then there’s Lane Kiffin and James Franklin as potential candidates.

Here, Sumrall isn’t letting the rumors distract him. “I get those questions because we’re having success. The coaching carousel isn’t even a thought,” he said. “We’re in the midseason phase. Whatever people want to speculate, they can do that. Tulane has 100 percent of my focus.” And the reason is straightforward. His Green Wave squad sits undefeated in conference play, just behind Navy and ahead of Memphis, so a strong finish could make Tulane a CFP contender.

However, the list of candidates runs deep. Alongside Brady, Kiffin, and Franklin, other names in the mix include Eli Drinkwitz, Curt Cignetti, Jimbo Fisher, Brent Key, and Jeff Brohm. Even bigger names like Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, and Urban Meyer are floating around at long odds. Now, with so many options, LSU’s search promises no shortage of speculation.