LSU continues to target Houston's Tom Herman

The LSU Tigers continue to target Houston's Tom Herman to be their next head coach.

A deal could be in place as early as Saturday but Herman hasn't ruled out an offer from Texas if Charlie Strong is fired as expected, according to ESPN.

USA Today reported that Herman, in his second season as Houston's coach, met with LSU officials on Thursday afternoon.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva refuted the reports and the school released a statement in the third quarter of the LSU-Texas A&M game Thursday night. The Tigers went on to beat Texas A&M 54-39 with interim coach Ed Orgeron at the helm.

"Contrary to media reports, there has been no decision made on who will be the next football coach at LSU," the school's statement read. "Coach Orgeron has done a great job of leading this team since taking over in late September and we are pulling hard for the Tigers tonight against Texas A&M. As we stated earlier, we are going to take our time and make sure we select the right person to lead our football program."

The Tigers are 5-2 under Orgeron since Les Miles was fired Sept. 25.

"Look, when we started this thing, Joe asked me to do my best on a daily basis and that's all that's been discussed," Orgeron said after Thursday night's win. "That's all I've done. I'm sure things are coming up, but I'll take them one day at a time.

"We had to turn this team around and we did. It was a ship that was sinking and we turned it around."

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher reportedly was near the top of LSU's wish list.

USA Today reported that LSU officials on Wednesday night met with agent Jimmy Sexton, who represents Fisher. Fisher, who makes $5.2 million a year, was Alleva's top target since last November 2015 when Alleva attempted to fire Miles the first time.

LSU was negotiating a salary in the neighborhood of $7 million with Fisher but discussions ended Wednesday night with Fisher not accepting the job, according to USA Today.

After a 2-2 start this season, Alleva fired Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and replaced them with Orgeron and interim offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger.

Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek presented Herman with a contract extension earlier this week that includes a "seven-figure increase" in total compensation, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Houston Chronicle.

"I have not been informed by Tom or his agent that they are in conversations with LSU," Yurachek told the Houston Chronicle. "We are in Memphis together, preparing for a game."

The Cougars (9-2) end the regular season Friday against Memphis.

The 41-year-old Herman is 22-3 at Houston after spending three seasons as Ohio State's offensive coordinator.

Herman downplayed reports linking him to other jobs.

"I'm not going to talk about any other job except the one I've got right now and these kids," Herman said during a brief interview with ESPN before the Cougars' game at Memphis.

Herman emphasized to ESPN that he told his players to not "believe anything that you read."

Texas decided to fire Strong following shocking 24-21 overtime loss to Kansas last Saturday, according to multiple reports. However, Texas athletic director Mike Perrin insisted this week that Strong would be evaluated after the season is over.

Strong is 16-20 in his third season at Texas and the Longhorns close out the regular season Friday against TCU.