Tag: Ed Orgeron

Nov 27, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron looks on during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Ed Orgeron joins Lane Kiffin staff, reunites with LSU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU reached an agreement with Ed Orgeron on Wednesday to join Lane Kiffin’s current staff in Baton Rouge, reuniting the school with its former head football coach.

Orgeron, 64, will be serving as a special assistant to recruiting and defense, per the school’s social media.

The 2019 national championship-winning coach spent five seasons as the head man for LSU and was a popular figure as a Louisiana native who won 51 games and went 4-1 in bowl games.

Eventually, the wins stopped coming and Orgeron was run out following back-to-back .500 seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Before that, he guided the Tigers to one of their greatest seasons in history, helming a dominant team headlined by Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase to a 15-0 record and two dominant wins in the playoffs.

Kiffin, LSU’s new head coach, was Orgeron’s boss at previous stops at Tennessee (2009) and USC (2010-13). Orgeron ultimately succeeded Kiffin at USC, becoming the interim coach to close out the 2013 season. The two previously coached together as assistant coaches at USC from 2001-04.

Orgeron also preceded Kiffin as the head coach at Ole Miss, going 10-25 there from 2005-07.

Kiffin closed his Ole Miss tenure 55-19, with a playoff berth last season.

–Field Level Media

Report: Ed Orgeron linked to Arkansas, Oregon State jobs

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Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has been in contact with Arkansas about its open head coach position, On3 reported Friday, while he also has been linked to the vacant Oregon State job.

Orgeron, 64, reached a mutual agreement to leave the Tigers program following the 2021 season when the team went 6-6. It was two years removed from a perfect 15-0 season when LSU won the national championship.

Orgeron went 51-20 in six seasons at LSU and is 67-47 in 10 seasons after also serving as the head coach at Ole Miss (2005-07) and the interim head coach at Southern California (2013).

Arkansas is looking to replace Sam Pittman, who was fired in September after the Razorbacks fell 56-13 at home to Notre Dame. Oregon State fired head coach Trent Bray after the Beavers opened the season with an 0-7 record.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron watches the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron would love to fill vacancy

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Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said on Wednesday that he’s “one phone call away” if the university wants him to fill the vacancy left by the firing of Brian Kelly.

Orgeron, who coached the Tigers for six seasons including a 15-0 run to the national championship in 2019, agreed with LSU to part ways following campaigns of 5-6 in 2020 and 6-6 in 2021.

He has not coached since then, but Orgeron, 64, said during an interview with ESPN’s “UnSportsmanLike” that he’d love to coach again in Baton Rouge, where he said he still has a home.

“I’d love to,” Orgeron said. “Are you kidding me? Hey, I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck, I could be there today.”

Orgeron has an overall record of 67-47 including three seasons at Ole Miss (2005-07), one as the interim coach at Southern California (2013) and six seasons at LSU (2016-21), where he was 51-20 overall and 4-1 in bowl games.

A native of Larose, La., Orgeron was asked if he was interested in returning as an assistant to Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss head coach who has been linked to the LSU post. Kiffin was an assistant with Orgeron at USC.

“Yeah, I’d consider it,” he said. “I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved when I was coaching for Coach (Les) Miles being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and if I’m getting back into coaching, for sure I’d consider it. No doubt.”

Kelly did not live up to lofty expectations at LSU, which fired him less than four years after he was hired away from Notre Dame and one day after a 49-25 home loss to No. 3 Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Tigers are 5-3, 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference. Kelly went 34-14, but he was perceived as not embracing the state’s culture, Orgeron said on Wednesday.

“I think that’s one of the things — whether it’s true or not — the look from the outside, Brian Kelly never embraced the state of Louisiana,” Orgeron said. “When you get those guys on your side, it’s very powerful. I think getting everybody to pull in the same direction, like Pete Carroll did, like we did, one team, one heartbeat, is gonna be the key for the next coach.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron reacts during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron ‘ready to coach again’

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Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said he is ready to return to the sidelines if he can find the right opportunity.

“All depends what the best thing available is,” Orgeron told Baton Rouge’s WAFB-TV on Wednesday night. “But I’m ready to coach again. I left a little bit of meat on the bone. I’m ready to go.”

Orgeron, 64, guided the Tigers to an undefeated national championship in 2019 with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson fueling the offense.

LSU stumbled to a 5-5 finish in 2020 and was 6-6 in 2021 when Orgeron and the program agreed to part ways.

Orgeron has an overall record of 67-47 including three seasons at Ole Miss (2005-07), one as the interim coach at Southern California (2013) and six seasons at LSU (2016-21).

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron looks on against McNeese State Cowboys during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU to pay Ed Orgeron a $16.9M buyout

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LSU and coach Ed Orgeron agreed to $16.9 million buyout for him to leave the football program after the 2021 season.

Sunday night, LSU announced the separation agreement, which will be paid to Orgeron, 60, over 18 installments. He is being terminated “without cause.” He is expected to finish out the season. LSU has five games remaining.

The first payment will be $5 million and paid in December, with installments for the balance paid through 2025.

Orgeron also is banned from accepting another head coaching post in the Southeastern Conference over the next 18 months.

Orgeron was under contract with LSU through the end of the 2025 season. The six-year contract extension he signed after LSU won the national championship in 2019 was to pay him about $42 million.

Athletic director Scott Woodward said Sunday night that it was time for a change in leadership.

“We have very high standards for all of our sports programs at LSU, and we will stand proudly behind our expectations of competing for SEC and national championships year in and year out,” Woodward said. “Our last two seasons have simply not met that standard, and based on our on-field results and our evaluation of the potential for future immediate success, it is time for a new direction.”

LSU is 9-8 since winning the College Football Playoff less than two years ago. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the Heisman Trophy that season, led the Tigers to an undefeated season.

“I have always understood the expectations at LSU, and they are the same expectations I have for myself and our staff,” said Orgeron, a Louisiana native. “I am disappointed that we have not met these expectations over the past two years. Thank you to the entire LSU family for the opportunity to coach one of the greatest college football teams of all-time. I’ll continue to fight, as will our team, throughout the rest of the season.”

Orgeron has led the Tigers since September 2016, when he was named interim head coach following the firing of Les Miles. He has named to the permanent position two months later. His record with the Tigers in 49-17. He previously was the head coach at Ole Miss and the interim coach at Southern California following the departure of Lane Kiffin in 2013.

As of Sunday, LSU had the No. 9 overall recruiting class in 2022, per the 247Sports composite. The class includes two five-star Louisiana players: quarterback Walker Howard, the top-ranked quarterback in the nation, and 6-foot-6 tackle Will Campbell. The composite lists both as Top 25 overall players.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron looks on during the first half against McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: LSU coach Ed Orgeron won’t be back in 2022

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LSU coach Ed Orgeron will not return in 2022 but is expected to finish this season, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

Sports Illustrated reported that LSU and Orgeron reached a separation agreement, less that two years after the Tigers won the College Football Playoff championship. The Athletic said the school is expected to pay Orgeron his whole buyout, which is $17.1 million.

Orgeron, 60, has led the Tigers since September 2016, when he was named interim head coach following the firing of Les Miles. He has named to the permanent position two months later. His record with the Tigers in 49-17. He previously was the head coach at Ole Miss and the interim coach at Southern California following the departure of Lane Kiffin in 2013.

With a salary of $9 million, he trails only Alabama’s Nick Saban on the list of highest-paid college coaches, according to the USA Today database.

Since winning the championship, the Tigers are 9-8, including 4-3 (2-2 Southeastern Conference) this season. They beat No. 20 Florida 49-42 on Saturday.

In speaking with reporters on Monday, Orgeron said no officials had discussed his job status with him.

“No not at all. That’s for me to handle, nobody’s talked to me about my job status,” Orgeron said. “I haven’t had any discussions about it, as far as I know I’m the head coach of the LSU Tigers and that’s all that matters.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Andre Anthony (3) runs back a fumble against the Central Michigan Chippewas for a score at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause/The Advertiser via USA TODAY NETWORK

LSU veteran DE Andre Anthony (knee) out for season

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LSU starting defensive end Andre Anthony will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury sustained in Saturday’s win against Central Michigan.

A sixth-year senior, Anthony was a leader on defense. He ends his season with eight tackles and 3.5 sacks.

“Let me say this about Andre Anthony, what an outstanding Tiger, an outstanding leader,” coach Ed Orgeron said Monday. “Andre has been with me since the beginning here. Absolutely love him. .. It is sad news, it really is, because he was having a good season.”

Anthony led the team with 5.5 sacks in 2020.

In the 49-21 win over Central Michigan, Anthony recovered a fumble and ran it back 33 yards for a score in the first quarter.

In 35 career games, he has 55 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, I really appreciate all the love and support,” Anthony, 24, tweeted. “Please keep me in your prayers.”

LSU (2-1) begins the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule Saturday on the road against Mississippi State (2-1).

–Field Level Media

LSU's Kevin Faulk makes a point with the media during Monday's LSU Coaches Caravan stop in Shreveport. Kevin Faulk

LSU RBs coach Kevin Faulk steps away after daughter’s death

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LSU running backs coach Kevin Faulk is not expected to attend the Tigers’ game Saturday against visiting Central Michigan in the wake of his 19-year-old daughter’s unexpected death.

Kevione Faulk, an LSU student, passed away Monday.

“Everybody here is sick to their stomach,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said, who added that the elder Faulk is with his family.

Kevin Faulk, 45, is in his second season coaching running backs at his alma mater. Faulk is best known for his 13-year NFL career spent entirely with the New England Patriots, with whom he won three Super Bowls. He played for the Tigers in the mid-1990s and graduated LSU in 1998.

Faulk took over as the Tigers’ director of player development in 2018 before being named running backs coach in 2020.

The football program released a statement about Kevione Faulk’s death Monday.

“We are heartbroken with the passing of Kevione Faulk, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Faulk family and all those who love Kevione,” the statement said. “She was a part of the LSU Family, and we mourn the loss of a daughter, a sister, a friend, a classmate and a colleague. We ask that all Tigers keep the Faulks in their prayers and respect their privacy at this difficult time.”

–Field Level Media

LSU running back John Emery Jr. (4) hi-steps into the end zone for a touchdown against Vanderbilt during the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Vandy Lsu Gamer 007

RB John Emery Jr. academically ineligible at LSU

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Junior running back John Emery Jr., projected to play a key role for LSU in 2021, is academically ineligible and will miss the season, coach Ed Orgeron said Monday.

Emery did not play against either UCLA or McNeese State for the Tigers (1-1). He was expected to start at UCLA, and Orgeron said after the loss to the Bruins that Emery’s status would be evaluated on a “week-to-week” basis.

Now, Orgeron will turn to junior Tyrion Davis-Price in the starting role. In the first two games, he has run the ball 21 times for 68 yards and caught two passes for 26 yards with no scores.

At LSU, Emery has played in 19 games and gained 566 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.

From Destrehan, La., Emery was a five-star prospect in the Class of 2019, the No. 2-ranked back in the nation, per the 247Sports composite. Alabama’s Trey Sanders was the No. 1 running back that year.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan (15) throws a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

LSU QB Brennan likely out for season

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LSU quarterback Myles Brennan likely is finished for the season as he continues to recover from an injury to his abdomen and hip, coach Ed Oregron said Wednesday.

“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be back, unless some miraculous thing happens,” Orgeron said.

He added Brennan could require surgery for the injury, which occurred Oct. 10 in a 45-41 loss to Missouri.

It’s the latest setback for the Tigers, who won the College Football Playoff last season behind Heisman Trophy-winner Joe Burrow.

Undefeated in 2019, LSU is 2-3. Saturday’s game against No. 1 Alabama was postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Tigers program.

The Tigers are scheduled to play at Arkansas on Nov. 18. Orgeron will turn to either TJ Finley or Max Johnson, both freshmen, at quarterback.

Brennan, a junior, played in the first three games of the season. He completed 79 of 131 passes for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions.

Brennan tweeted Wednesday that he will keep working to return.

“Just have to keep fighting,” he wrote. “Looking forward to being back out there with my guys.”

–Field Level Media