Ed Orgeron

Born to Edward "Ba Ba" Orgeron Sr. (d. 2011) and Cornelia "Co Co" Orgeron on July 27, 1961, Orgeron and his brother Steve grew up in Larose, a town on the Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2004 |title=Orgeron to finalize deal with Rebels|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1947109 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houmatoday/obituary.aspx?n=edward-orgeron&pid=154194158|title=Edward Orgeron|work=Houma Courier|date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=September 29, 2013}}{{Cite web |title=Ed Orgeron |url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/orgeron_ed00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002051200/http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/orgeron_ed00.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |website=USC Trojans Athletics}} Known as "Bebe" (pronounced "bay-bay"), he is of Cajun descent, and his family members worked a variety of jobs, including as hunters, fishers, and cooks.{{Cite magazine |last=Dellenger |first=Ross |date=January 9, 2020 |title=Ed Orgeron Is the Beacon of Light Down on the Bayou |url=https://www.si.com/college/2020/01/09/lsu-ed-orgeron-bayou-cajun-roots |access-date=August 13, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}} An active child, according to his mother, Coco, Ed broke his leg in second grade and learned how to play football wearing crutches and a cast.{{Cite web |last=Schrotenboer |first=Brent |date=January 12, 2020 |title=Say what? How LSU, Clemson football coaches were shaped by pronunciations |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/01/12/lsu-clemson-ed-orgeron-dabo-swinney-shaped-by-pronunciations/4449107002/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

The Orgeron family were avid fans of LSU football; however, they could not afford to attend games in person.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=LSU football coach Ed Orgeron's journey from the bayou to defending a national championship in the time of COVID — 60 Minutes - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ed-orgeron-lsu-football-coach-covid-19-pandemic-60-minutes-2020-09-20/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Ed Sr. encouraged young Ed to work hard with the hopes that he might some day play for the Tigers.

Orgeron attended South Lafourche High School in Galliano, Louisiana with future Michigan Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert. Orgeron and Hebert played on the school's Class 4A state championship team in 1977.{{Cite web |last=Dellenger |first=Ross |date=February 18, 2017 |title=Brothers on the bayou: Ed Orgeron, Bobby Hebert and South Lafourche's wild ride to the state football title in 1977 |url=https://www.nola.com/brothers-on-the-bayou-ed-orgeron-bobby-hebert-and-south-lafourches-wild-ride-to-the/article_e33ec413-ff25-543b-bab0-08ee499350d1.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}} Orgeron signed to play football on scholarship at Louisiana State University, but left the program two weeks into his freshman year due to homesickness and returned home where he worked on shrimp boats and dug ditches.{{Cite web |last=Schrotenboer |first=Brent |title=LSU's Ed Orgeron almost got kicked off his college team; now he's a state hero |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/01/13/lsu-coach-ed-orgeron-almost-got-kicked-off-his-college-football-team/4431400002/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Shortly thereafter, he transferred to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and reunited with Hebert, who became his roommate.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=David M. |date=January 8, 2020 |title=The unbelievable tales of LSU head coach Ed Orgeron |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28434335/the-unbelievable-tales-lsu-head-coach-ed-orgeron |access-date=April 12, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} Orgeron would continue to shovel shrimp during the summer breaks.

During his junior year, Ed and a teammate vandalized a dorm room and instead of removing them from the team, head coach Sam Goodwin decided to give them another chance.{{Cite web |title=Before He Was a State Hero, Ed Orgeron Almost Got Kicked off His College Football Team |url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/lsu-coah-ed-orgeron-northwestern-state |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=Southern Living |language=en}}

Orgeron began coaching in 1984 as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State and the following year coached at McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Kubena |first=Brooks |date=September 13, 2019 |title=Ed Orgeron tales from his time at Northwestern State: from shoveling shrimp to coaching football |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/ed-orgeron-tales-from-his-time-at-northwestern-state-from-shoveling-shrimp-to-coaching-football/article_ef331d4e-d583-11e9-966a-c791641f23c4.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Vann |first1=Leah |last2=Alexander |first2=Wilson |date=October 17, 2021 |title=Ed Orgeron timeline: From Northwestern State to an LSU national championship, and the fall afterward |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/ed-orgeron-timeline-from-northwestern-state-to-an-lsu-national-championship-and-the-fall-afterward/article_68e574c2-2f76-11ec-a9ec-f373df145db3.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Advocate |language=en}} He then served two years as an assistant strength coach under Ken Hatfield at the University of Arkansas. In 1988, he began his tenure with the University of Miami, under then-head coach Jimmy Johnson and his successor, Dennis Erickson. He was their defensive line coach for four of those years, in which he coached eight All-Americans (including NFL first-round draft choices Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland and Warren Sapp). While he was with the Hurricanes, the program won two national championships (in 1989 and 1991), and he recruited a young Dwayne Johnson (later known as "The Rock" in his professional wrestling and film careers) as a defensive lineman.{{Cite web |last=Friedell |first=Dan |date=December 11, 2012 |title=How good was The Rock at football? |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15186/how-good-was-the-rock-at-football |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

{{rquote|left|Yes [my dismissal was necessary]. It led to a turnaround in my lifestyle. That's something that had to be done in my life, where I just [could feel] comfortable with what I'm doing today.|Ed Orgeron on his 1992 dismissal by Miami.}}

Starting in 1991, a series of personal problems began to surface for Orgeron. A local woman filed a restraining order against Orgeron, accusing him of repeatedly attacking her. In July 1992, Orgeron was arrested for his part in a bar fight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Orgeron acknowledged he had been intoxicated that night and had grown angry when not allowed back inside to retrieve his credit card.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2004 |title=After UM, Orgeron turned life around |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2004/12/31/after-um-orgeron-turned-life-around/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}} In October 1992, Orgeron took a leave of absence from the University of Miami coaching staff for personal reasons; the departure turned out to be a permanent one, however and he was replaced by assistant coach Randy Shannon.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 1992 |title=Defensive line coach gets leave of absence |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/10/27/defensive-line-coach-gets-leave-of-absence/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}} Taking a respite from coaching, Orgeron worked on his personal life: the permanent injunction against him was eventually rescinded and the felony second-degree battery charges he faced were dropped. He stayed with his parents in Larose, crediting his father for helping him get his life in order.{{Cite web|last=Poliquin|first=Bud |date=September 15, 2011|title=Poliquin: Ed Orgeron, the former Syracuse football aide, will long admire his old boss, Paul Pasqualoni|url=https://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/2011/09/poliquin_ed_orgeron_the_former.html|access-date=October 16, 2022|website=syracuse|language=en}}

Orgeron returned to coaching in 1994 but as a volunteer linebackers coach at Nicholls State University.{{Cite web |title=All-Time Assistants |url=https://geauxcolonels.com/documents/2019/11/26/2019_FOOTBALL_MEDIA_GUIDE_Update2.pdf |access-date=March 16, 2020 |website=GeauxColonels.com |page=35}} The following year, he moved from the south to the northeastern U.S., accepting a job with head coach Paul Pasqualoni's staff at Syracuse University, where he coached the defensive line for three years.[http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/sports/colleges/university_of_mississippi/12476449.htm The Sun Herald] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627222844/http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/sports/colleges/university_of_mississippi/12476449.htm |date=June 27, 2006 }} Orgeron credited Pasqualoni for giving him a second chance at major-college coaching (after his prior personal issues had damaged his 'hireability') and helping him develop as a coach on and off the field.

In 1998, Orgeron was hired by offensive guru Paul Hackett, the newly hired head coach of USC (the University of Southern California), to coach the Trojans defensive line.{{Cite web |last=Gibbs |first=Simon |date=August 28, 2021 |title=Ed Orgeron discusses ties to USC: 'USC was a great place' |url=https://www.on3.com/news/lsu-tigers-coach-ed-orgeron-discusses-time-with-usc-trojans/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=On3 |language=en}} After Hackett's 2000 firing, Orgeron was one of a handful of coaches retained by Hackett's replacement, Pete Carroll, a defensive specialist. The two had met during a high school football game when Carroll was still only a candidate for the head coach position and connected over their shared passion for recruiting.{{Cite web |last=Wharton |first=David |date=February 1, 2011 |title=USC's Ed Orgeron is a rah-rah recruiter |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/la-xpm-2011-feb-01-la-sp-0202-ed-orgeron-usc-20110202-story.html |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} During the Carroll years, USC enjoyed much success, including two (Associated Press) National Championships. Orgeron took on the added responsibility of Recruiting Coordinator in 2001 and was named assistant head coach in 2003. Orgeron won National Recruiter of the Year honors in 2004, the same year he was hired by Ole Miss to replace head coach David Cutcliffe.

File:LSU OLE MISS 8.JPG in 2007]]

Upon arriving at Ole Miss as head coach, Orgeron attempted to bring USC's passing game coordinator, Lane Kiffin, with him as the new offensive coordinator, but Kiffin opted to stay with the Trojans.{{Cite web |last=Wojciechowski |first=Gene |date=November 19, 2013 |title=Wojciechowski: Coliseum conundrum |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/BMOC131119/is-ed-orgeron-right-decision-usc |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Entering the 2005 season, Orgeron had hoped to bring a USC-style offense to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), but found limited success. The University of Mississippi's offense finished the season ranked 111th out of 117 Division I-A schools, in total offense; 115th in scoring; and, 116th in rushing. Orgeron's defensive experience, along with returning linebacker Patrick Willis, helped the Rebel defense in 2005, but as a result of the offensive woes, the 2005 team struggled and finished the season with a record of three wins and eight losses—the Rebels' worst record since 1987.

In response to the results of his first season, Orgeron fired offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone,{{cite web|url=http://www.cstv.com/tsx/01052006/m-footbl/ole.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109004246/http://www.cstv.com/tsx/01052006/m-footbl/ole.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2008|title=Mississippi Team Report|website=www.cstv.com|access-date=October 22, 2017}} replacing him with former University of Miami offensive coordinator Dan Werner.{{cite web|url=http://olemisssports.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010906aaj.html|title=Refreshing to.....|website=olemisssports.collegesports.com|access-date=October 22, 2017}} Orgeron also hired Art Kehoe, the longtime offensive line coach at the University of Miami; both assistants had just been fired by the University of Miami. In 2006, Ole Miss finished the season ranked No. 108 in scoring offense, No. 111 in total offense, and No. 112 in passing offense.{{cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2006&div=4&rpt=IA_teamscoroff&site=org|title=NCAA Division I Football Statistics|access-date=October 22, 2017}}

Orgeron's second recruiting class in February 2006 was successful, acquiring the written pledges of a national Top 15 signing class.{{cite web|url=http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=177&p=9&c=14&yr=2006|title=2006 Football Team Rankings|website=Scout|access-date=October 22, 2017}} He followed it with the 32nd ranked recruiting class in February 2007.{{cite web|url=http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=177&p=9&c=14&yr=2007|title=2007 Football Team Rankings|website=Scout|access-date=October 22, 2017}}

At Ole Miss, Orgeron recorded only two wins against teams with winning records (the 2005 and 2007 Memphis teams, which both finished at 7–5)—the fewest among active SEC coaches at the time. Until the 2007 season, he enjoyed the public support of The University of Mississippi's chancellor Robert Khayat and other administrators with oversight of the football program, including Athletic Director Pete Boone. In a November 2006 article in The Clarion-Ledger, Khayat said of Orgeron and the poor win–loss record since he was hired (7–14, at the time of the interview), "I think Coach Orgeron inherited a very difficult situation....I am 100 percent behind him, and I think that people ought to understand that he has a big challenge."

In 2007, Ole Miss finished the season 0–8 against fellow SEC teams, and 3–9 overall. It was the program's first winless (conference) season since 1982.

On November 24, 2007, after Ole Miss blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to in-state rival Mississippi State in the season finale, Orgeron was fired. He was replaced by former University of Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt, who had resigned from the Arkansas program three days after Orgeron's firing.

On January 23, 2008, it was announced that Orgeron had been hired as the new defensive line coach of the National Football League's New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2008 |title=Saints Hire Ed Orgeron to Coach D-Line |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-hire-ed-orgeron-to-coach-d-line-1084719 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |language=en-US}}

On December 31, 2008, Orgeron accepted a position with the University of Tennessee under its new head coach, former USC assistant coach and colleague Lane Kiffin. Orgeron worked as associate head coach, recruiting coordinator, and defensive line coach.{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Bruce |date=December 31, 2008 |title=Orgeron accepts associate head coach job at Tennessee |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3803014 |access-date=January 1, 2009 |website=ESPN.com}}

File:Ed Orgeron in 2010 (cropped).jpg in 2010]]

Orgeron returned to USC's assistant coaching staff on January 12, 2010, after Kiffin resigned from the University of Tennessee without notice to accept the USC head coach position vacated by Pete Carroll (who had returned to head coaching in the NFL).{{Cite web |last=Glier |first=Ray |date=January 14, 2010 |title=Kiffin's Departure Leaves Resentment and Uncertainty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/sports/ncaafootball/14vols.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=New York Times |language=en}} Orgeron was one of the highest paid assistant coaches in the Pac-12 Conference, with an annual salary of $650,000.

It was announced on September 29, 2013—after Lane Kiffin's firing—that Orgeron would be the interim head coach of the Trojans for the rest of the 2013 season, until athletic director Pat Haden found a permanent replacement.{{cite web|title=USC tabs Ed Orgeron as interim coach after Kiffin fired |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/pac12/2013/09/29/southern-california-fires-lane-kiffin-pat-haden-names-ed-orgeron-interim-coach/2891703/ |publisher=USA Today|access-date=September 29, 2013|date=September 29, 2013}}

After his experience at Ole Miss, Orgeron decided to approach his second stint as a head coach differently. Instead of resuming the intense aggressiveness he had used as a defensive line and head coach, he used a different approach this time. Orgeron applied behavioral techniques he had used on his own teenage children, in an effort to approach his USC players "like my sons".{{Cite web |last=Wolken |first=Dan |date=November 7, 2013 |title=Ed Orgeron's evolution could mean future with USC football |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/pac12/2013/11/07/college-football-usc-coach-ed-orgeron/3465635/ |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

After receiving much praise for their upset win at home over highly ranked Stanford, the Trojans suffered a humiliating 35–14 defeat to cross-town-rivals UCLA—for the second year in a row—on November 30, 2013. This greatly threatened Orgeron's chances of winning the permanent head coach position. The Trojans were 6–2 under Orgeron, finishing the regular season with a 9–4 record.{{Cite web |title=2013 USC Trojans Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2013-schedule.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On December 2, 2013, ESPN reported that another former USC assistant coach under Pete Carroll—Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian—had accepted USC's offer to become the next Trojans head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/college-football/story/_/id/10068739/usc-trojans-hire-steve-sarkisian-washington-huskies-new-football-coach|title=Sources: USC hires Steve Sarkisian|date=December 2, 2013|work=ESPN}} After Orgeron was passed over for the job, he resigned.{{cite web|last=Transcript|title=USC Head Football Coach Steve Sarkisian Introductory Press Conference |url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120313aab.html|work=Quotes from athletic director Pat Haden|publisher=USC Athletic Dept|access-date=December 14, 2013 |date=December 3, 2013}}

File:Ed Orgeron LSU vs NWLA.jpg head coach]]

On January 14, 2015, Orgeron was hired as the defensive line coach at Louisiana State University (LSU).{{Cite web|last=Kleinpeter|first=Jim|title=LSU adding Ed Orgeron to football coaching staff|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_63fa1bd5-27ab-576b-a43b-02e7541a7448.html|access-date=October 16, 2022|website=NOLA.com|date=January 14, 2015 |language=en}}

On September 25, 2016, after LSU head coach Les Miles was fired following a loss to Auburn, Orgeron was named the team's interim head coach.

Orgeron stated that he was going to "flip the script". He promoted tight ends coach Steve Ensminger to offensive coordinator and brought back Pete Jenkins to take over as defensive line coach. Orgeron also decided to shorten practices and spend more time in the film room in order to keep players fresh. In addition, he brought the "theme of daily practices" he modeled from coach Pete Carroll during Orgeron's first stint as an assistant at USC. These practice days have descriptive nicknames like Tell the Truth Monday, Competition Tuesday, Turnover Wednesday, No Repeat Thursday, and Focus Friday.{{Cite web |last=Dellenger |first=Ross |date=September 25, 2016 |title=Behind the scenes of Les Miles' firing: When decision made, how players took news, what ex-coach told players |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_53f1a66a-8357-11e6-9401-c7a5b0a63245.html |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}

Under Orgeron's watch, LSU finished out the season with a 6–2 record.{{Cite web |title=2016 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2016-schedule.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On November 26, 2016, LSU removed the "interim" tag from Orgeron's title and formally named him as its 32nd full-time head coach.

The beginning of the 2017 season saw Orgeron hire Matt Canada to be the offensive coordinator. Canada was known for an offensive playbook that was heavily based on setting skilled positions in motion prior to the snap, thus using jet sweeps often. The season began with LSU ranked in the top 15, but early losses to Mississippi State and Troy quickly found LSU unranked. However, the team went 7–2 in their remaining games, finishing the year with a 9–4 record.{{Cite web |title=2017 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2017-schedule.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

The 2018 season began with a season opening upset of 8th-ranked Miami, followed by another upset of 7th-ranked Auburn. These victories helped LSU rise to 5th in the CFP rankings, but a loss to 25th-ranked Florida sent LSU tumbling back to 13th. In response, the Tigers pulled off a shocking upset of No. 2 Georgia. The Tigers then avenged the previous year's loss to Mississippi State. The victories over Georgia and Mississippi State propelled LSU to being ranked No. 3 by the CFP going into a game against top-ranked Alabama. The LSU offense that had seemed to turn around after Steve Ensminger took over the duties of offensive coordinator was unable to score against Alabama's defense. After the loss to Alabama, LSU was able to defeat Arkansas and Rice before falling to Texas A&M in a 7-overtime game. With a 9–3 record, LSU was invited to the Fiesta Bowl to play the University of Central Florida, who had not lost a game in the previous two seasons. On New Years Day 2019, LSU gave UCF their first loss since 2016. LSU finished the 2018 season with a record of 10–3 and were ranked sixth in the nation by the AP poll and seventh by the Coaches poll. LSU was not predicted to have a good season in 2018, and some, including respected SEC commentator Paul Finebaum, believed it would be Orgeron's last.{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/paul-finebaum-right-say-orgeron-has-sec-hottest-seat/Tfs3z4tHfxdYygZ3ljKv0H/|title=Is Paul Finebaum right to say Ed Orgeron has SEC's hottest seat?|first=Alex|last=Hickey|date=February 28, 2018}} However, the successful season earned Orgeron a contract extension through the 2022 season.{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Shea |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Ed Orgeron's contract extension is approved |url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-football-head-coach-Ed-Orgeron-contract-extension-approved-salary-board-of-supervisors-2019-130306716/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=247sports.com}}

File:2020-0113-RinaldiOrgeron01.png immediately after winning the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship]]

After opening with a home win versus Georgia Southern,{{cite web | last=Guilbeau | first=Glenn | title=LSU pass offense soars; GameDay to be at Tigers-Texas game in Austin | website=The Daily Advertiser | date=2019-09-01 | url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2019/08/31/lsu-football-game-reaction-terrace-marshall-jr-lanard-fournette/2180730001/ | access-date=2024-09-27}} Orgeron's 2019 team recorded a statement road win over Texas in week two and proceeded to go undefeated through the regular season, including a 46–41 victory over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.{{cite web | last=Guilbeau | first=Glenn | title=LSU and Texas throw one down, and Tigers hold on for 45-38 win | website=The Daily Advertiser | date=2019-09-08 | url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2019/09/07/lsu-and-texas-throw-one-down-and-tigers-hold-45-38-win/2248006001/ | access-date=2024-09-27}}{{cite web | last=Bender | first=Bill | title=Revisiting the epic 2019 LSU vs. Alabama game featuring Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and an absurd collection of NFL players | website=Sporting News | date=2022-09-29 | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/lsu-alabama-2019-players-in-nfl-joe-burrow-tua-tagovailoa/mttvc0rm6ifpjqmgxjivqd44 | access-date=2024-09-27}} A win over Arkansas in the penultimate game of the regular season clinched the SEC West division title and secured a berth in the 2019 SEC Championship Game against Georgia.{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2020 |title=No. 1 LSU down Arkansas 56-20, books SEC title game berth |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/no-1-lsu-down-arkansas-56-20-books-sec-title-game-berth |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} This was their first appearance in the SEC Championship Game since 2011. The traditionally defensive-minded Tigers averaged over 48 points per game, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, Baton Rouge-native running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and standout receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Burrow set new LSU and SEC single-season records for passing yards with 4,366; his 44 touchdown passes set a new LSU record and tied the SEC mark.{{Cite web |last=Martel |first=Brett |date=December 1, 2019 |title=Burrow, No. 1 LSU dominate Texas A&M, 50-7 |url=https://apnews.com/article/college-football-football-sports-tx-state-wire-la-state-wire-75dc357bccd9444abcc14994b7e53c15 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}} By the season's end, Burrow would go on set the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes (60) en route to winning the Heisman Trophy.{{Cite web |last=Bender |first=Bill |date=August 12, 2021 |title=Nine absurd records Joe Burrow set in LSU's College Football Playoff championship season |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/nine-records-joe-burrow-set-college-football-playoff-championship/1aligatn4ea5a1wx6g9upgsuog |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sporting News |language=en-us}} Orgeron's Tigers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game to win their first SEC title since 2011. On Sunday, December 8, 2019, they were named the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. They met the Big 12 Conference champion Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinals in the Peach Bowl, defeating them by a score of 63–28.{{Cite web |last=Newberry |first=Paul |date=December 29, 2019 |title=Breathtaking: Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28 |url=https://apnews.com/article/1d7acc3629eddd2c9f0c973627eb1431 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Following the regular season, Orgeron was named the winner of the 2019 AP College Football Coach of the Year Award and Home Depot Coach of the Year Award.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Orgeron AP coach of year, continuing LSU's roll |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28319282/lsu-ed-orgeron-named-ap-coach-year |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kubena |first=Brooks |date=December 11, 2019 |title=After leading LSU football to 13-0 record, Ed Orgeron wins ESPN's Coach of the Year Award |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/after-leading-lsu-football-to-13-0-record-ed-orgeron-wins-espns-coach-of-the/article_1a916868-1c3f-11ea-99de-63569681aad8.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Advocate |language=en}} On January 13, 2020, Orgeron won his first national championship as a head coach with a win over the unbeaten defending national champion Clemson Tigers, 42–25, finishing the season 15–0. Orgeron and the LSU Tigers won the national title in their home state at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.{{Cite web |last=Kubena |first=Brooks |date=January 13, 2020 |title='This is for everybody': LSU caps perfect season with national title win over Clemson |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_728c7b28-3668-11ea-9ff1-b7a17b90cc1c.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Advocate}}

LSU's 2020 season was shortened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2020 |title=SEC announces new 2020 football schedule |url=https://www.secsports.com/article/29682732/sec-announces-new-2020-football-schedule |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=SEC Sports}} They played a ten-game, all-SEC schedule. LSU started the season ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll, but dropped out of the rankings after three games and finished the season with a record of 5–5.{{Cite web |title=2020 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2020-schedule.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Tigers had three different starting quarterbacks throughout the course of the season. Myles Brennan started the first three games, but was injured during the game against Missouri on October 10 and was lost for the season. T. J. Finley started the next five games. Max Johnson started the final two games of the season.{{Cite web |title=2020 LSU Fighting Tigers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2020.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He led the Tigers to an upset win over the No. 6 Florida Gators in Gainesville and a shootout 53–48 win over Ole Miss in the season finale.{{Cite web |last=Bratton |first=Michael Wayne |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Playoff hopes tossed away? Florida DB Marco Wilson flagged for throwing LSU cleat after key 3rd down stop |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/florida-football/florida-marco-wilson-gators-tigers-toss-unsportsmanlike-cleat-throw-playoff/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=West |first=Glen |date=December 19, 2020 |title=LSU Football Outpaces Ole Miss 53-48 Behind Record Breaking Performance from Kayshon Boutte |url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/lsu-outpaces-ole-miss-53-48 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}

In March 2021, a woman testifying in front of Louisiana state legislators said that she had reported an instance of sexual harassment by LSU running back Derrius Guice to Orgeron, but that the coach had taken no action against him, and in fact called the woman and asked her to forgive Guice.{{cite magazine|last1=Coleman |first1=Madeline |title=Woman Testifies Orgeron Knew Guice Sexually Harassed Her |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/03/26/woman-testifies-ed-orgeron-knew-derrius-guice-sexual-harassment |access-date=July 28, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602035406/https://www.si.com/college/2021/03/26/woman-testifies-ed-orgeron-knew-derrius-guice-sexual-harassment |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en-us}} In June 2021, Orgeron was added as a defendant to a Title IX lawsuit against LSU, which alleges that the coach was told Guice had raped a student and did not report the allegation.{{cite magazine|last1=Coleman |first1=Madeline |title=LSU's Ed Orgeron Added as Defendant in Title IX Lawsuit |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/06/25/lsu-football-coach-ed-orgeron-added-defendant-title-ix-lawsuit-derrius-guice |access-date=July 28, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706220248/https://www.si.com/college/2021/06/25/lsu-football-coach-ed-orgeron-added-defendant-title-ix-lawsuit-derrius-guice |archive-date=July 6, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en-us}}

Despite high expectations and a favorable schedule, LSU stumbled to a 3–3 start in 2021, losing several games in which they were favored.{{Cite web |title=2021 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2021-schedule.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Following the tumultuous start, Orgeron's Tigers were able to upend the No. 20-ranked Florida Gators 49–42 in a thrilling rivalry game matchup.{{Cite web |title=Florida at LSU Box Score, October 16, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-10-16-louisiana-state.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Despite the victory, LSU administrators announced the following day, on October 17, 2021, that they had reached a mutual agreement for Orgeron to leave the program at the end of the 2021 season.{{Cite web|last=Bonnette|first=Michael|date=October 17, 2021|title=LSU, Coach Orgeron to Part Ways Following 2021 Season|url=https://lsusports.net/news/2021/10/17/lsu-coach-orgeron-to-part-ways-following-2021-season/|access-date=October 17, 2021|website=lsusports.net|language=en-US}} Orgeron's last game was a last-second victory against Texas A&M at home, which allowed the Tigers to finish the season at 6–6 and become bowl eligible.{{Cite web |title=Texas A&M at LSU Box Score, November 27, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-11-27-louisiana-state.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Despite this, Orgeron announced shortly after the game that he would not coach in the bowl game, and that offensive line coach Brad Davis would be appointed interim coach. Brian Kelly was hired from Notre Dame as Orgeron's successor.{{Cite web |last=Uggetti |first=Paolo |date=November 28, 2021 |title=Orgeron says he won't coach in LSU's bowl game |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32732890/ed-orgeron-coach-lsu-tigers-bowl-game-qualifying-upset-no-15-texas-am |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Orgeron appears as himself in the 2009 film The Blind Side recruiting Michael Oher. In 2005, Orgeron had won an intense recruiting battle for Oher. Director John Lee Hancock contacted Orgeron about playing himself, despite having been fired by Ole Miss prior to the filming of the movie. Orgeron agreed and impressed the filmmaker with his enthusiasm.{{Cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=June 29, 2009 |title=Prominent coaches turn actors for film |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4277330 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |website=ESPN.com}}

In 2006, Bruce Feldman, then a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine, was allowed in-depth access to the Ole Miss program for a book about the recruiting process at a big-time college football program. The result was 2007's Meat Market: Inside the Smash-Mouth World of College Football Recruiting, a book filled with anecdotes about Orgeron, which The New York Times described as "one of the most insightful books ever written about college football."{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |date=November 6, 2007 |title=Book Review: Meat Market |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/book-review-meat-market/ |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=The Quad |language=en}}

Orgeron was portrayed by Emmett Skilton in the TV series Young Rock, which is about actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=George |date=March 4, 2021 |title=New Zealand actor wasn't obvious choice to play Coach O, but he did his homework for 'The Rock' |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/new-zealand-actor-wasnt-obvious-choice-to-play-coach-o-but-he-did-his-homework/article_dcea85d0-7d04-11eb-bb18-efc30524c23d.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Holder |first=Larry |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Ed Orgeron's Hollywood version: 187-pound, New Zealand-born actor Emmett Skilton |url=https://theathletic.com/2409275/2021/02/25/ed-orgerons-hollywood-version-187-pound-new-zealand-born-actor-emmett-skilton/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} Orgeron was Johnson's defensive line coach when Johnson played at Miami.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Andrew |date=December 1, 2016 |title=How Ed Orgeron inspired Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson at Miami |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/lsu-football/ed-orgeron-inspired-dwayne-rock-johnson-miami/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}} Orgeron also appears as himself in the season 1 episode of Young Rock, Check Your Head.{{Cite web |last=Casselberry |first=Ian |date=March 17, 2021 |title=Young Ed Orgeron returns to 'Young Rock,' coaching freshman Dwayne Johnson at Miami |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/pop-culture/young-ed-orgeron-returns-young-rock-coaching-freshman-dwayne-johnson-miami.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}

Orgeron is known for his strong, gravelly, Cajun-accented voice, and intensity while coaching. In 2006, during his time at Ole Miss, he was parodied in an internet video titled "Colonel Reb is Cryin'".{{Cite web |last=Guilbeau |first=Glenn |date=November 16, 2006 |title=Ole Miss coach shows his sense of humor |url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20061117/SPORTS0202/611170337/Ole-Miss-coach-shows-his-sense-humor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610222804/http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20061117/SPORTS0202/611170337/Ole-Miss-coach-shows-his-sense-humor |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |website=Shreveport Times}}

Orgeron has been married and divorced twice. His first wife was Colleen Orgeron. He met his second wife, Kelly, on a blind date while at the 1996 Liberty Bowl. The couple have three boys. Upon returning to USC in 2010, Orgeron lived in a hotel across the street from the campus while his wife and children made their home in Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=September 30, 2013 |title=Ed Orgeron is ready for his leading role as USC's interim coach |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/30/sports/la-sp-1001-usc-ed-orgeron-20131001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009003434/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/30/sports/la-sp-1001-usc-ed-orgeron-20131001 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.klfy.com/top-stories-news/report-lsu-coach-ed-orgeron-files-for-divorce-from-wife-kelly-after-23-years-of-marriage/ |title=Report: LSU coach Ed Orgeron files for divorce from wife, Kelly, after 23 years of marriage |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. |date=April 1, 2020 |website=KLFY.com |access-date=April 1, 2020}} The pair divorced in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Gallo |first=Andrea |date=2024-11-27 |title=Should Ed Orgeron's ex-wife receive money from his LSU buyout? Louisiana's high court to decide |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/lsu-football-ed-orgeron-divorce/article_c85eb628-acf2-11ef-bb81-63142e9e812d.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}

Orgeron is Catholic.{{Cite web |last=Heim |first=Mark |date=May 11, 2017 |title=Ed Orgeron on Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, energy drinks |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/05/ed_orgeron_clarifies_energy_dr.html |access-date=November 20, 2021 |website=AL.com |language=en}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Ole Miss Rebels

| conf = Southeastern Conference

| startyear = 2005

| endyear = 2007

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2005

| name = Ole Miss

| overall = 3–8

| conference = 1–7

| confstanding = T–5th {{Small|(Western)}}

| bowlname =

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| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2006

| name = Ole Miss

| overall = 4–8

| conference = 2–6

| confstanding = T–4th {{Small|(Western)}}

| bowlname =

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| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2007

| name = Ole Miss

| overall = 3–9

| conference = 0–8

| confstanding = 6th {{Small|(Western)}}

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Ole Miss

| overall = 10–25

| confrecord = 3–21

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = USC Trojans

| conf = Pac-12 Conference

| startyear = 2013

| endyear = single

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2013

| name = USC

| overall = 6–2

| conference = 6–1

| confstanding = T–2nd {{Small|(South)}}

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = USC

| overall = 6–2

| confrecord = 6–1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = LSU Tigers

| conf = Southeastern Conference

| startyear = 2016

| endyear = 2021

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2016

| name = LSU

| overall = 6–2

| conference = 4–2

| confstanding = T–2nd {{Small|(Western)}}

| bowlname = Citrus

| bowloutcome = W

| ranking = 14

| ranking2 = 13

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2017

| name = LSU

| overall = 9–4

| conference = 6–2

| confstanding = 3rd {{Small|(Western)}}

| bowlname = Citrus

| bowloutcome = L

| ranking = 18

| ranking2 = 18

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2018

| name = LSU

| overall = 10–3

| conference = 5–3

| confstanding = T–2nd {{Small|(Western)}}

| bcsbowl = yes

| bowlname = Fiesta

| bowloutcome = W

| ranking = 7

| ranking2 = 6

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = national

| year = 2019

| name = LSU

| overall = 15–0

| conference = 8–0

| confstanding = 1st {{Small|(Western)}}

| bcsbowl = yes

| bowlname = Peach^†, W CFP NCG

| bowloutcome = W

| ranking = 1

| ranking2 = 1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2020

| name = LSU

| overall = 5–5

| conference = 5–5

| confstanding = 4th {{Small|(Western)}}

| bcsbowl =

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| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2021

| name = LSU

| overall = 6–6

| conference = 3–5

| confstanding = T–6th {{Small|(Western)}}

| bcsbowl =

| bowlname = Texas{{efn|Did not coach bowl game|group=record}}

| bowloutcome =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = LSU

| overall = 51–20

| confrecord = 31–17

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 67–47

| bowls =

| poll = two

| polltype =

}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ed-orgeron-1.html Coaching statistics] at Sports Reference
• [https://lsusports.net/sports/football/roster/coaches/ed-orgeron/2875 LSU Tigers bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131002051200/http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/orgeron_ed00.html USC Trojans bio]
• {{Instagram|coach_edorgeron}}
• {{Twitter|Coach_EdOrgeron}}

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}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Orgeron, Ed}}

Category:1961 births

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