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What Nick Saban said about the current state of LSU and coaching carousel | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 10:52 GMT by Sporting News

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Nick Saban’s Take on LSU’s Coaching Carousel and the Program’s Future

When LSU’s football program was in the news again this week, it wasn’t for a game or a recruiting story but for the comments of Alabama’s long‑time head coach, Nick Saban. In an interview that was widely circulated on social media, Saban spoke candidly about the “coaching carousel” that has plagued LSU over the past year and offered his perspective on what the Tigers need to do to regain stability and competitiveness in the SEC.

A Program in Motion

The core of Saban’s message was that LSU has been “moving a lot of pieces” without settling into a long‑term vision. Since Ed Orgeron’s departure at the end of the 2022 season, LSU has gone through a rapid succession of coaching hires, with each new arrival bringing different philosophies and personnel. The most recent change, which the team announced early in 2023, has amplified concerns that the program is still searching for its identity.

Saban summed up the situation by saying, “LSU is in a carousel right now. Every time you turn around, there’s another head coach on the sidelines. That’s not how a national‑championship program operates.” The former Alabama coach, who has been praised for building a system that consistently produces NFL talent, emphasized that a stable coaching staff is the foundation of any successful college football program.

Recruiting Under Uncertainty

One of the key points Saban highlighted was how the coaching carousel hampers recruiting. “Recruiting is a long‑term relationship. When a program keeps changing leaders, you lose trust,” he noted. He cited several high‑profile recruits who had verbally committed to LSU but later reopened their options after the coaching change.

The Tigers have long been known for their ability to attract top prospects from the South. Yet, in the last two seasons, the program has lost several top‑10 recruits to rival schools, a trend that Saban attributes to the uncertainty of the coaching situation. “You can’t play a game of chess with a moving board,” he added. “If you want to build a team that can compete for the national title, you need a consistent strategy and a clear direction.”

Stability as a Prerequisite for Success

Saban’s advice for LSU was clear: find a coach who can stick around and build a program that lasts. He referenced his own tenure at Alabama, where he has remained for over two decades, and how that longevity has translated into national championships. “It’s not just about the talent you get on the field,” he explained. “It’s about the culture you create. Culture takes time to develop.”

The former Heisman winner pointed out that stability also helps in developing defensive schemes and offensive playbooks that fit the player’s strengths. “A coach who has to adapt to a new roster every year can’t build the kind of intricate system we see in the best teams,” Saban said. He suggested that LSU might consider hiring a coach with a proven track record of recruiting and developing talent, even if that coach is a bit younger or less experienced at the head‑coach level.

The Larger SEC Picture

Saban’s comments came at a time when LSU’s performance on the field has been inconsistent. The Tigers finished the 2022 season with a 6‑6 record, a disappointment for a program that has won three national titles in the past decade. In the 2023 season, the team has struggled to find a rhythm, losing key games in the SEC’s Western Division.

Saban emphasized that LSU’s challenges are not unique in the conference. “The SEC is highly competitive. Any program that wants to win a national championship must do the same thing that the best teams do: stay consistent,” he said. He urged LSU to learn from the successes of teams like Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, all of which have maintained a core coaching staff for a long time.

The Role of Leadership Beyond the Sidelines

While the interview focused heavily on coaching, Saban also touched on the importance of front‑office leadership. He reminded LSU’s administration that “a stable front office can support the coaching staff in recruiting, player development, and program culture.” He pointed to the success of other programs that have invested in a long‑term vision across all levels of the organization.

Saban’s words carry weight in the SEC, where coaching hires are often made in the same window that other programs are finalizing contracts and recruiting. He hinted that LSU’s next hire would need to navigate both the athletic and the administrative aspects of the program to set a durable foundation.

What This Means for LSU’s Future

Saban’s candid assessment suggests that LSU’s next move is crucial. The program has an opportunity to break free from the cycle of change and establish a culture that can attract top talent and compete for a national championship. Whether that means hiring a seasoned veteran or a younger coach with fresh ideas will remain a subject of intense speculation.

For LSU, the path forward involves embracing the idea that stability—whether in coaching, recruiting, or administration—is the key to lasting success. The “coaching carousel” can either become a cautionary tale or a stepping stone to a new era of consistent excellence.

In the end, Saban’s message is a call to action: find a leader who can commit, build, and sustain. If LSU can heed that advice, the Tigers may yet restore their place among the nation’s football elite.