Brian Kelly’s firing came after a “very tense” meeting with LSU’s athletic director. Scott Woodward met with Kelly Sunday after the team’s ugly home loss to Texas A&M the day before and clashed over staff changes, according to The Athletic.

Kiffin absolutely would mesh with Woodward's big-name affections. He'd fit LSU's needs, too. Unlike two of Woodward’s past football hires, Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Kelly at LSU, Kiffin’s career is trending up. His Rebels beat LSU twice in the past three seasons. He’s in his prime. His floor is lofty, his ceiling untapped.