After firing Brian Kelly, the LSU administration must have hoped for a difference in results. However, troubles have continued to loom large for the Tigers, who lost 9-20 in their week 11 clash against Alabama. This underperformance has only added fuel to the fire of head coach replacement speculation, with Tulane Green Wave’s HC Jon Sumrall leading the race.

Sumrall made headlines after his side beat Memphis in their week 11 matchup. The close 38-32 win at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium was Tulane’s first win against an AP Top 25-ranked team as an unranked team in 41 years. The last time Tulane achieved this feat was in October 1984 against then 19th-ranked Vanderbilt.

For Sumrall, ending Tulane’s drought against an AP Top 25 opponent marked a major milestone. The victory not only kept the Green Wave among the AAC’s top three teams but also maintained their contention for the Group of Five’s playoff spot. With the Memphis win, Tulane is in pole position to qualify for the college football playoffs.

But on Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Rittenburg posted about an interview with Sumrall, even name-dropping LSU’s firing of Kelly. Sumrall quoted the post on X with a series of emojis—a rat, skull and crossbones, red X, rat, and a cheese trap—but did not offer any further explanation. Was the fact that responded at all a sign? At the same time, Sumrall looked a man completely locked into his team after the win over Memphis.

“They’ve driven me crazy at times this year. I’ve said it all year to y’all, but man, like they’re keeping me young and they’re going to make me grow old real fast,” he stated.

Since taking over from Willie Fritz in December 2023, Jon Sumrall has done an impressive job of keeping Tulane among the AAC’s elite. In his first season, the Green Wave posted a 9–5 record, including a 7–1 mark in conference play. Sumrall’s team has carried that form into this season as well, currently sitting at 7–2 overall with a 4–1 record in the AAC. But one catch being that Sumrall has been linked to the HC position at Auburn as well.

His ability to lead Tulane to a consistent positive record in two years is what has impressed many fans, including the LSU faithful. Analyst Cole Cubelic shared an odds poll for the vacant LSU position on X, with Sumrall topping the list. With how the season has gone for Tulane, it comes as no surprise that LSU fans are calling for him to be their next head coach.

Jon Sumrall could be headed to LSU next season, odds suggest

In the odds poll shared by Cubelic, Jon Sumrall led the list with 3/2 odds, followed by Joe Brady, Lane Kiffin, and James Franklin. Given how LSU’s season has unfolded, a change at the helm now seems inevitable. Frank Wilson has been just a temporary solution for the Tigers, and after the Week 11 loss to Alabama, it appears even that may not be enough.

The Tigers find themselves in a vulnerable position this season, sitting 10th in the SEC with a 5–4 overall record. LSU has looked like a shadow of its former self, and with only three games left in the regular season, a playoff spot is out of reach. Frank Wilson now carries the responsibility of guiding the team to a positive finish.

As for Jon Sumrall, his focus will be on the games at hand and ending the season on a high note for the Green Wave. Now that he has broken the cursed 41-year-old record for them, it could serve as the perfect send-off gift.