Report: LSU Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda Not Expected to Take UNLV Job

Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo "remains a strong candidate" to be UNLV's head coach, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg

LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is not expected to be the next head coach at UNLV, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. UNLV did not make a formal offer to Aranda, per Rittenberg. 

Sources now telling me #LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is not expected to be the next #UNLV coach. There were some initial talks from both sides but no offer was made. #Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo remains a strong candidate for the UNLV job.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 11, 2019

Aranda and UNLV were in "serious negotiations" regarding the program's head-coaching vacancy early Tuesday evening, according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger. 

Aranda was also a candidate for the head coach opening at Colorado State. 

Adding to our earlier report: #UNLV and #LSU’s Dave Aranda in serious negotiations. School is working on a deal to make him its new head coach.

UNLV has a new facility, will play in Raiders new stadium and is promising significant financial support for Aranda’s potential staff.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 10, 2019

Aranda is currently the highest-paid assistant in college football. He has been the Tigers' defensive coordinator since 2016. The 43-year-old coach was previously the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2013-15.

LSU sports the No. 27 scoring defense in 2019. The Tigers have given up just 37 points in their last three games, including just 10 in a 37-10 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship. 

Aranda and the Tigers earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff after finishing the regular season 13–0. They will face Oklahoma in the national semifinal on Dec. 28. Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is slated for 4 p.m. ET.