LSU shook up the college football landscape when it pried head coach Lane Kiffin away from SEC rival Ole Miss earlier this year.
Kiffin’s star was on the rise after leading the Rebels to one of the best seasons in school history last year. He led Ole Miss to an 11-1 record and the No. 6 seed in the College Football Playoff (the team won two CFP games before being eliminated in the semifinals by the Miami Hurricanes).
In the first few months on the job, Kiffin built one of the best rosters in college football through the transfer portal, and his coaching staff isn’t too shabby either. And Kiffin added another big piece to that coaching staff on Wednesday.
“Ed Orgeron is returning to LSU and will serve as the special assistant to recruiting and defense for the Tigers,” the school posted on X along with a photo of Orgeron shaking hands with head coach Lane Kiffin.
“Important to note in this hire, the changes in recruiting rules mean that Orgeron will be able to go on the road and recruit for LSU. He’s an all-time greater recruiter, and he has deep familiarity with LSU and Kiffin to pitch them to recruits,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Orgeron is no stranger to LSU fans.
The 64-year-old was the Tigers’ head coach from 2016 to 2021, compiling a 51-20 record with three bowl wins and a national championship in 2019. That national championship team is considered by many to be one of, if not the best college football team of all time.
There are 13 players from that team currently playing in the NFL — quarterback Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), wide receivers Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) and Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals), guards Damien Lewis (Seattle Seahawks), Ed Ingram (Houston Texans), center Lloyd Cushenberry (Buffalo Bills), defensive tackle Damone Clark (Detroit Lions), linebackers Patrick Queen (Pittsburgh Steelers) and K’Lavon Chaisson (Washington Commanders), cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans), Kristian Fulton (Kansas City Chiefs), Cor’Dale Flott (Tennessee Titans), and safety Grant Delpit (Cleveland Browns).
Orgeron also has head-coaching experience at USC (2013) and Ole Miss (2005-2007), making him a valuable addition to the Tigers’ coaching staff.
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