Lead: Ed Orgeron said he would consider returning to LSU as a member of Lane Kiffin’s coaching staff, telling Jacksonville’s 1010XL radio on Dec. 2, 2025 that he would take the job “if he asks me.” Orgeron — the Tigers’ 2019 national championship head coach who was dismissed after a 6-6 season in 2021 — has not coached since leaving Baton Rouge. He noted no hard feelings toward LSU and referenced the changed leadership there, including the departure of former athletic director Scott Woodward. The comments reopened discussion about the optics and practical impact of a former head coach serving under a new leader.
Key Takeaways
- Ed Orgeron publicly said on 1010XL radio on Dec. 2, 2025 that he “would definitely consider” joining LSU if Lane Kiffin asked him to.
- Orgeron led LSU to the 2019 national championship as head coach and was fired after a 6-6 season in 2021; he has not held a coaching position since.
- Orgeron and Lane Kiffin have a long working relationship, having coached together previously at Tennessee and USC.
- Orgeron indicated no lingering ill will toward LSU and pointed out that former AD Scott Woodward is no longer at the university, a factor he cited when assessing a possible return.
- The exchange was publicized via a Matt Hayes tweet on Dec. 2, 2025 that quoted Orgeron’s radio comments, amplifying immediate fan and media reaction.
- A return would be notable for staff dynamics: a former head coach rejoining his old program in an assistant role under a different head coach.
Background
Ed Orgeron first rose to national prominence at LSU as head coach, culminating in the program’s 2019 national championship. His tenure made him a defining figure in Baton Rouge; that title season remains the signature achievement of his time leading the Tigers. Two years later, after a 6-6 campaign in 2021, LSU moved on and Orgeron was relieved of his duties, ending his most recent full-time coaching role.
Orgeron’s professional relationship with Lane Kiffin predates both men’s major public profiles: the two worked together on staff at Tennessee and later at USC, and both have spoken publicly about mutual respect. Since his exit from LSU, Orgeron has remained a prominent voice in college-football circles but has not taken another coaching position. The current LSU administration also looks different than it did when Orgeron left, a change he referenced when discussing any potential return.
Main Event
During an appearance on Jacksonville’s 1010XL radio on Dec. 2, 2025, Orgeron was asked whether he would rejoin LSU under Lane Kiffin. He responded, “I’d definitely consider it if he asks me,” and added that they had not discussed the matter directly but that he anticipated an opportunity and “hope[s] there will be.” Those remarks were later shared by college-football reporter Matt Hayes, bringing swift attention from fans and outlets.
The exchange did not include a concrete offer, timeline, or role description—Orgeron’s response was framed as contingent and conciliatory rather than definitive. He emphasized history and familiarity with Kiffin, noting their long friendship and previous coaching collaborations at Tennessee and USC. Orgeron also underscored that changes in LSU leadership, notably the departure of Scott Woodward, influenced his view of the school’s current environment.
As of the radio segment and immediate follow-ups, there has been no public confirmation from Lane Kiffin or LSU officials about any recruitment or potential staff changes involving Orgeron. The comments have nonetheless fueled speculation about whether a high-profile former head coach would accept a subordinate role and what that would mean for recruiting, staff hierarchy, and fan sentiment in Baton Rouge.
Analysis & Implications
A potential Orgeron return to LSU under Kiffin would be unusual in modern college football: head coaches rarely rejoin former programs in assistant capacities, especially after a high-profile dismissal. If it occurred, the move could offer Kiffin immediate advantages in regional recruiting and local goodwill, given Orgeron’s deep ties in Louisiana and the Gulf South. Orgeron’s name recognition and recent championship pedigree could help open doors with recruits and donors who revere the 2019 team.
At the same time, internal dynamics could be delicate. Having a former head coach on staff can create ambiguous chains of command, especially with players and boosters who still associate that coach with the program’s top job. Kiffin would need to define Orgeron’s responsibilities clearly to preserve authority and avoid mixed messaging. The arrangement would require mutual clarity on scope: whether Orgeron would have a title focused on recruiting, advisory duties, or on-field coaching responsibilities.
Strategically, LSU stands to benefit in short-term optics if Orgeron accepts: alumni and local media often view veteran, successful figures as stabilizing presences. Over the medium term, the success of such a partnership would hinge on measurable outcomes—improved recruiting classes, staff cohesion, and win-loss results. For Orgeron personally, accepting an assistant role would reshape his legacy narrative, shifting from former head coach and champion to elder statesman and staff collaborator.
Comparison & Data
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Led LSU to national championship (head coach) |
| 2021 | Finished 6-6; Orgeron fired and left LSU head coaching role |
The table highlights the two anchor points that frame this discussion: the program-defining high in 2019 and the losing-but-even 6-6 season in 2021 that preceded Orgeron’s departure. Those two data points—championship and subsequent dismissal—explain why any talk of a return prompts strong reactions across the LSU fanbase and college-football community.
Reactions & Quotes
The radio interview immediately triggered commentary from reporters and fans. The initial public amplification came via social media, where the audio and quoted lines spread quickly.
“I’d definitely consider it if he asks me. We haven’t talked about it yet. I believe there will be a chance to go there. I hope there will be.”
Ed Orgeron, on 1010XL radio (Dec. 2, 2025)
That direct quote framed the matter as contingent rather than settled, which tempered some speculation even as it sent others searching for confirmation.
“Ed Orgeron on @1010XL, if he would take a job on Lane Kiffin’s LSU staff: ‘I’d definitely consider it if he asks me.'”
Matt Hayes (college-football reporter), tweet (Dec. 2, 2025)
Matt Hayes’ post condensed the interview into a shareable line and served as the primary public trigger for immediate media coverage and fan debate online.
Unconfirmed
- There is no public confirmation that Lane Kiffin has asked Orgeron to join his LSU staff; the radio comments describe a hypothetical offer.
- Specifics such as job title, responsibilities, salary, and start date for any potential Orgeron role at LSU have not been disclosed.
- Neither LSU athletics nor Lane Kiffin has issued an official statement confirming talks or an intent to hire Orgeron as of Dec. 2, 2025.
Bottom Line
Ed Orgeron’s willingness to “definitely consider” returning to LSU under Lane Kiffin, expressed on Dec. 2, 2025, has rekindled discussion about staff composition, recruiting strategy, and program optics in Baton Rouge. The remark is conditional and does not constitute an offer or acceptance; it does, however, make a future collaboration plausible and newsworthy.
For LSU and Kiffin, adding Orgeron could yield immediate recruiting and local-relations benefits but would require careful role definition to avoid internal friction. For Orgeron, any return would mark a notable shift in career trajectory—from head coach and national champion to a supporting staff role—one that would be judged on tangible results in recruiting and on-field performance.