Bo Pelini is a strong candidate for the LSU defensive coordinator position, sources tell FootballScoop on Monday.

Pelini is currently the head coach at Youngstown State, where he has gone 33-28 in five seasons. After leading the Penguins to a surprise run to the FCS title game in 2016, Pelini’s teams have failed to rise above the fray in the competitive Missouri Valley Football Conference, going a combined 9-15 in league play with no playoff appearances in their past three campaigns. YSU went 6-6 in 2019.

Prior to that, Pelini went 66-27 as the head coach at Nebraska from 2008-14.

Pelini has been LSU’s defensive coordinator before, serving in the role on Les Miles’ staff from 2005-07. His work assisting the Tigers to the 2007 national championship led him to get the Nebraska head job.

Pelini would represent a stark departure from the stoic Dave Aranda, given that he built a reputation for verbally accosting officials, his players and his own fans alike. Working under Ed Orgeron, Pelini would have to adapt to O’s player-first style of leadership that culminated in the 2019 national title.

From Pelini’s perspective, source tells FootballScoop Bo would like to have assurances that his brother Carl would become head coach at Youngstown before making this move if possible.

In addition to Pelini, sources tell FootballScoop Ed Orgeron has spoken with other candidates including Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator (under Jason Garrett) Kris Richard. Richard, who has coached in the league the past ten years, formerly served as a grad assistant at, and played at USC (while Orgeron coached there).

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.