With the 2015 LSU Tigers Football campaign officially closed out with a blowout win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl, Les Miles knew he had to hit the recruiting trail to prepare for 2016. What he may not have known (as the rest of us found out) is that he is going to have to recruit a brand new defensive coordinator — after Kevin Steele left Baton Rouge yesterday to take the same position at Auburn.

Nov 16, 2013; Evanston, IL, USA; Coaching headsets hang from a bench on the sidelines prior to the start of a game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The LSU defense will line up with their third defensive coordinator in three years, in 2016. The talent in house next year will be exceptional, and so getting them ready to play will be of paramount importance in a must-win season for Les Miles and the Tigers.

Unfortunately, a reunion with “Big Chief” John Chavis will not be in order. It has become abundantly clear that Chavis left because of unethical machinations involving his contract.

The decision to rewrite Coach Chavis’ contract without his knowledge or consent was made by embattled AD Joe Alleva. Alleva was also the author of a clumsy, protracted and ultimately failed attempt to oust Head Coach Les Miles this past season.

With Chavis long gone and now Kevin Steele also no longer a part of the equation, the biggest question of immediate concern to Tigers fans is, “Who’s in?” as the team’s next new defensive coordinator.

One advantage Coach Miles will have is a rolodex that is full of good candidates from last year’s coaching search.

Here are five coaches who may see Baton Rouge show up on their caller ID.

Starting with……