Joe Brady touted as Ed Orgeron’s potential replacement at LSU

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been touted as a potential replacement for Ed Orgeron as LSU head coach.

We aren’t even halfway through the 2021 season and it already looks like the Carolina Panthers are facing a fight on their hands to keep Joe Brady beyond the current campaign. The offensive coordinator has come in for some criticism at times and especially over the last three games, but that’s not stopped the rumor mill from turning regarding a potential head coaching job in the not-too-distant future.

Brady got a bunch of interviews following the 2020 season without doing enough to convince anyone he’s worth the gamble. Perhaps this had something to do with being a relative novice with just one season of play-calling duties in the NFL to call upon.

There’s little doubt that Brady is highly respected in league circles and teams are always looking for the next great offensive mind with a view to changing around their fortunes.

However, there could be an intriguing option in the college ranks that Brady might consider if presented with the opportunity.

With Ed Orgeron announcing his departure from LSU at the end of the season, this instantly becomes one of the more coveted jobs in the country.

The Tigers might have struggled since their memorable national championship triumph in 2019. But they are still one of the most respected programs in college football.

And one respected writer believes that Brady could be in contention to replace someone he worked with closely in the past.

Joe Brady could be out of the Carolina Panthers in 2022.

Dennis Dodd, who is a senior writer at CBS Sports, put together a list of potential candidates to replace Orgeron and listed Brady as a potential option. However, he did cite the offensive coordinator’s lack of experience in a top job as something to be cautious about if LSU opts to go in this particular direction.

"“The risk here is that Brady has never been a head coach. Not even close, really. In that magical 2019 season, Brady shared play-calling duties with Steve Ensminger. He got the job after spending two seasons as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints, and now he’s in his second season with the Panthers. Is he too young at age 32? It might not matter if Brady gains traction among Tiger Nation.”"

Brady is loved at LSU after masterminding the passing game that transformed Joe Burrow from a late-round prospect to the consensus No. 1 overall selection in 2020. Having dynamic playmakers such as Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall Jr. also helped, but his arrival could be a massive spark for the program to get back to prominence.

Perhaps Brady has his sights set on something bigger. Depending on how the remaining 11 games go for the Panthers, there might be an NFL team or two picking up the phone and requesting an interview.

If LSU wants him, they’ll have to strike while the iron is hot. Orgeron is a tough act to follow, but it’s clear that a fresh set of ideas were needed.

Brady would certainly reinvigorate everyone within the program and although it might not come to anything, it’s certainly a situation Carolina should be monitoring closely.