Miami’s Lance Guidry likely on LSU radar after Tigers’ defensive staff dismantled
In late November, Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who in his one season has excelled at turning around the Hurricanes’ defense, was told talk was swirling around him being mentioned for jobs at other major programs — like LSU.
“You always want to be wanted,’’ Guidry, a 52-year-old native Louisianan, said at that point. “Those places that are talking, I’ve got an agent and my agent hasn’t told me anything about that, so it’s just people and chirping and talking.”
On Wednesday, the talk likely got louder as LSU coach Brian Kelly dismissed most of the defensive staff, including defensive coordinator Matt House, after a horrible season on defense. LSU ranked 105th nationally in total defense (416.6 yards allowed per game), 109th in red zone defense, 114th in third-down conversion percentage defense, 115th in passing yards allowed (255.6) and 85th in rushing defense.
LSU, which also fired defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, safeties coach Kerry Cooks and cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, had an outstanding offense and finished 10-3 overall.
Guidry, who also helps coach safeties, will surely be mentioned as a potential candidate for the LSU defensive coordinator job.
The 7-6 Hurricanes, despite missing several players on defense in a 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, finished the recent season 24th in total defense (321.6 yards allowed per game), 11th in rushing defense (105.6), 55th in passing yards allowed (216), 42nd in scoring defense (22.8), 20th in both sacks and tackles for loss, 37th in third-down conversion percentage and 36th in passes intercepted.
Here’s what else Guidry said November 20 when asked his mindset regarding Miami and his future.
“As the season is finished, Coach Cristobal I’m sure will sit down with me and we’ll talk about next year’s plan and what we’ll do here at Miami. This is the job I have. I love it here. We’re building something special, so I’m not looking to go anywhere. I said it when I came here that this was a place that I was always intrigued to coming to to try to get this back to what it was.
“...Until somebody picks up the phone and calls me it’s not real. I love our players and we’re recruiting some really good players. I want to be here at Miami because it’s the job that I do have. There’s always going to be speculation.’‘
Added Guidry: “The grass isn’t always greener somewhere else.’‘
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 3:03 PM.
