ESPN's David Pollack argues for LSU football to hire Dave Aranda to replace Ed Orgeron

ESPN broadcasters David Pollack and Rece Davis discussed a variety of college football head coach openings on Tuesday's "The ESPN College Football Podcast." 

The first job opening that the pair discussed was LSU. It was announced Oct. 17 that Ed Orgeron would not return as LSU football coach in 2022, but Orgeron is finishing the 2021 season. 

Davis suggested LSU hire current Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. 

Pollack went with Baylor football head coach Dave Aranda, who served as the defensive coordinator on LSU's 2019 national championship team. Aranda is in his second year as the Baylor head coach. 

David Pollack makes case for Dave Aranda as LSU football head coach

"Do you know who I would hire? Dave Aranda," Pollack said. 

Davis responded, "I'm a big fan of his, by the way. I think that would be a very good hire, also." 

"I would hire Dave Aranda because — listen, Ed O's antics and what he is and who he is — I like the exact opposite," Pollack said. "I would love to have a cerebral, level-headed guy. I think, again when I'm hiring a coach, I'm taking one side of the ball and it better be elite. I think he's an elite mind when it comes to defense. It's not just at LSU. It's not just at Baylor. It's back at Wisconsin. Like this dude is really, really good."

Aranda was the Wisconsin defensive coordinator from 2013-15. He was then LSU defensive coordinator from 2016-19 before becoming the Baylor head coach in 2020.

"I know my LSU defense is going to be top-notch like it was when he was there," Pollack said. "It's going to be great. I think I'll be structured, I'll be disciplined, I just like the aura of Dave Aranda. I think he'll be a really good fit for LSU. I think he would bring some stability. Listen, LSU is going to recruit itself. It's a big fish in a small pond. People want to go to Louisiana. It's got the pedigree. It's got the winning. There's a lot of it that's already good. I think my first choice would be, I would go Dave Aranda." 

Davis said, "I like that choice, too." 

Baylor, ranked No. 13 in the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, is 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12 Conference this season under Aranda. 

Rece Davis makes case for Bill O'Brien as LSU football head coach

Before becoming the Alabama offensive coordinator this season, O'Brien was the Penn State head coach from 2012-13 and the Houston Texans head coach from 2014-2020. 

"I think Bill O'Brien is going to be the next coach at LSU," Davis said. 

"Oh my god, OK," Pollack said. 

Davis responded, "It's not the first choice. The first choice is (Texas A&M head coach) Jimbo Fisher."

"But Jimbo Fisher ain't leaving," Pollack said. Davis responded, "Right, precisely."

Alabama is 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC with O'Brien as offensive coordinator this season. 

"There is no way in Sam you-know-what homeboy that you're hiring Bill O'Brien, unless you've heard that from somebody, somewhere," Pollack said to Davis, who is an Alabama graduate. "Because there ain't no way you're going — of all the guys I can have, I'll take Bill O'Brien."

Davis paused. 

"Silence speaks volumes," Pollack said. 

"I think Bill O'Brien is on several lists," Davis said. "Not just theirs. He's a former NFL head coach. He did a remarkable job at Penn State."

Pollack responded, "He did do a remarkable job at Penn State." 

"So I think there are a lot of people in hiring positions — not just at LSU — who are considering him and like the NFL experience, even if it did go sour at the end," Davis said. "There is some attractiveness to having that NFL experience." 

Here's more LSU football coaching search news: 

• Jimbo Fisher:Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher: I would be the 'dumbest human' to leave for LSU
• LSU football coaching hot board 2.0:5 big names who fit Scott Woodward's big vision for LSU football
• Mel Tucker:Michigan State's Mel Tucker brushes off LSU football coach rumors

Pollack played college football at Georgia from 2001-04, and he played in the NFL from 2005-08. He's been with ESPN since 2008. Davis has been with ESPN since 1996. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.