Ed Orgeron Returns to LSU: A New Role Under Lane Kiffin

After a six-year tenure leading the Tigers to a national championship in 2019, Ed Orgeron is returning to LSU. He will join Lane Kiffin’s staff, marking a surprising yet exciting development in college football.

Previously, Orgeron entertained fans with his absence from the game following his 2021 departure. He parted ways after being dismissed by former athletic director Scott Woodward, leaving with a substantial $17.1 million buyout.

In his new role as the “special assistant to recruiting and defense” for Kiffin, Orgeron will be back on the recruiting trail, thanks to an NCAA rule change. Kiffin expressed his enthusiasm: I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU. He brings us tremendous value with his ability to recruit elite players nationally, especially in Louisiana. He understands my expectations and commitment to a championship program.

Orgeron humorously addressed how the landscape of college athletics has shifted with legal payments to players: 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, he said in an interview.

The collaboration between Coach O and Kiffin is not new. They first joined forces when Kiffin hired Orgeron after taking the Tennessee job in 2009. They both moved to USC a year later, strengthening their professional bond.

Orgeron’s return to LSU coincides with another former colleague, Tee Martin, joining Kiffin’s staff. This setup resembles a reunion of their previous tenure at USC, where both enjoyed success despite some drama.

Orgeron’s extensive experience in recruiting and defense makes him a valuable asset to Kiffin’s team. His presence promises an engaging chapter for LSU Football.