Names such as Johnny Jones, Randy Livingston, Reggie Theus, Jamie Dixon and Scott Drew have been thrown around, but only Alleva knows his true target.

If the next coach wants to last more than four seasons, he must do some of the things Johnson didn't do. He must have the ability to recruit, keep his players for multiple years, utilize the resources of LSU's history and most of all – win games.

"The first three or four games I was. I got my wind back and I think I did alright. I'm glad the (team) let me go there and the guys encouraged me, so I wouldn't be down. I didn't look at it as a disappointment of going to the D-League."