Orgeron returns to coaching at LSU


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After taking a year off from coaching, ex-USC coach Ed Orgeron has decided to join the LSU coaching staff as their defensive line coach. The position allows Orgeron to stay close to home.

In 2013, after a disappointing start to the football season for USC, head coach Lane Kiffin was fired, and former energetic defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was instated as the interim head coach. Orgeron and his fiery personality took the school by storm leading the football team to a 6-2 record before he resigned.

Much of the student body and alumni were upset that Athletic Director Pat Haden passed on Coach O and chose then-Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian to be the next leader of USC’s team. The school rallied around Orgeron, and many hoped that he would eventually return to the cardinal and gold in some capacity.

During this past college football season, Orgeron spent time with his family in his Louisiana home, where he rooted for his sons, Cody and Parker, who played tennis and football respectively for Mandeville High School. But now it will be back to business for Coach O.

It will be a homecoming for Orgeron when he joins LSU head coach Les Miles and newly hired defensive coordinator Kevin Steele on the Tigers coaching staff. When Orgeron played football, he committed to LSU, but after two weeks, he felt homesick and left the program. Now Orgeron has the opportunity to join his oldest son, Tyler Spotts, in the LSU organization.

In a statement made after the hiring, Miles acknowledged how great of a hire Orgeron was for his football team.

“Ed is an expert when it comes to the defensive line,” said Miles. “He will bring tremendous enthusiasm and energy to our program. His passion and love for the state of Louisiana makes him a great fit for us.”

This season, LSU was considered to have a down year, finishing with a record of 8-5. Luckily Orgeron will be joining a top-10 defense with the Tigers. LSU gave up 4.87 yards per play and only 27 opponent touchdowns. Coach O will now have to coach a young defensive line, which has to replace their leading pass rusher in junior Danielle Hunter.

Though Orgeron will now be considered a Tiger, to the USC faithful, he will always be a Trojan.