Ed Orgeron Returns to LSU as Part of Lane Kiffin’s Staff

After a six-year tenure as head coach, during which he led the Tigers to a national championship in 2019, Ed Orgeron is making a return to LSU. He will join Lane Kiffin’s staff, a move that is bound to spark conversation in the Bayou.

Orgeron stepped away from the sport after being let go in 2021 by former athletic director Scott Woodward. His departure included a substantial $17.1 million buyout, a sum he accepted with the national title to his name. Now, he assumes a new role as “special assistant to recruiting and defense” under Kiffin’s leadership. This position permits him to hit the recruiting trail, courtesy of a recent NCAA rule change.

Kiffin expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU. He offers tremendous value in recruiting elite players nationwide, especially within Louisiana. Coach O knows my expectations and our commitment to a championship program. I look forward to seeing his impact with recruits and his dedication to our defense.”

Adjusting to changes in college athletics, where player compensation is now legal, Orgeron lightheartedly remarked, “It’s a minor adjustment. Back then, we used to walk through the back door with the cash, now we just gotta walk through the front door with the cash. A joke, obviously.”

This marks a reunion for Orgeron and Kiffin, who have collaborated in the past. Kiffin initially drew Orgeron from the NFL when he took on the Tennessee job in 2009. When Kiffin moved to USC a year later, Orgeron followed, continuing his defensive coaching role.

Orgeron recounted, “I was like head coach No. 2 on the staff. The reason I went back with him, because he and I were tight at USC. He was a young coach, but a great recruiter, great evaluator. Had a bright future ahead.”

This reconnection at LSU with Kiffin, and former USC colleague Tee Martin joining the staff, echoes their past collaborations at Tennessee and USC. The history of drama that accompanied their previous tenures adds intrigue to their current roles.

The inclusion of Orgeron in Kiffin’s team is notable for his recruiting prowess and defensive experience. The combination of their skills promises to make an exciting impact on the Tigers campus. In hiring Orgeron, Kiffin continues to craft a distinctive and dynamic coaching environment.