The LSU coaching search has taken an interesting turn, at least according to the odds makers. On Monday, BetOnline’s odds with Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham moved from a longshot 20/1 to a favorite 3/1. That jump places him just barely ahead of former Alabama legend Nick Saban, who sits slightly behind Dillingham on the odds board.
Dillingham, now in his third season at Arizona State, has injected energy, recruiting momentum, and an offensive identity into the Sun Devils program. He also said recently after beating West Virginia, “I was never leaving.” Many around the league view him as one of the sharpest young coaches in the Big 12, and ASU’s administration has shown strong public support for him, especially following rumors earlier in the year. But for some reason, the oddsmakers love the idea of Dillingham in the bayou.
But the odds movement is dramatic for these candidates:
- Kenny Dillingham: 20/1 → 3/1
- Marcus Freeman: 28/1 → 10/1
- Eli Drinkwitz: 25/1 → 12/1
- Jimbo Fisher: 18/1 → 33/1
Now for the overall odds to be the next LSU head coach:
| Kenny Dillingham | 3/1 |
| Nick Saban | 4/1 |
| Jon Sumrall | 10/1 |
| Joe Brady | 13/2 |
| Lane Kiffin | 7/1 |
| Dan Lanning | 7/1 |
| Marcus Freeman | 10/1 |
| Eli Drinkwitz | 25/1 |
| Clark Lea | 12/1 |
| James Franklin | 14/1 |
| Brent Key | 16/1 |
| Jeff Brohm | 33/1 |
| Jimbo Fisher | 33/1 |
| Lincoln Riley | 45/1 |
| Alex Golesh | 50/1 |
| Dan Mullen | 50/1 |
| Dabo Swinney | 50/1 |
| Jon Gruden | 50/1 |
For the Big 12, losing Dillingham would be a major blow, but once again, there’s no evidence to suggest he’s going anywhere. After the WVU game, Dillingham added, “They’re pushing the chips to the middle of the table on winning in football here,” he said after the win.
He continued: “I just want to be able to push this place to its limit… Sometimes, if I can do some things people don’t like… I want to activate the Valley, I want to win games, I want to get this program better. I know our university is behind us and behind this program.”
He’s an alum. He’s home. And he’s winning. Do with the odds what you will, but I’m not buying it.
