Could the LSU Tigers reunite with former head coach Ed Orgeron in a new role? The man himself says he's open to it.
Could the LSU Tigers see a reunion with the beloved Ed Orgeron next season? The door has been opened by the man himself.
During an appearance on ESPN's "Unsportsmanlike," Orgeron was asked if he would be willing to return to the Tigers as an assistant if the job were to go to current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
"Yeah, I'd consider it. I love LSU. I've still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved, when I coached with [Les] Mles, being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and I'm getting back to coaching. For sure, I'd consider it," said Oregeron with his signature raspy voice.
One thing that every fan has called for in the past few days is a coach who understands the importance of the LSU brand. Someone who can connect with the program and bring them back to the days of looking like a powerhouse.
Even if the head coach that does get hired has never coached for the Tigers before, filling out his staff with former players and people with ties to the state will be imperative.
There are few people more qualified in "knowing what it's like to be an LSU Tiger" and "representing Louisiana" than Orgeron.
He's a native of Larose, Louisiana. He started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Northwestern State over 40 years ago. Oh, and he was the head coach for LSU when they won the National Championship with arguably the greatest team in the history of the sport back in 2019.
While his time with the Tigers didn't have the prettiest of ends, he does know what it's like to win at that school.
He also knows what it's like to coach with Kiffin. The two have coached together in the past at both USC and Tennessee.
It is impossible to argue against the fact that this would, at worst, be quite entertaining to watch unfold. From a practical standpoint, it also makes a great deal of sense.
If Orgeron comes in and accepts his role as assistant, without trying to overstep bounds as a former head coach, this would be a massive win for Kiffin.
There is also now immediate precedent for it happening with the Bobby Petrino situation over with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Petrino was the head coach there from 2008-2011. He was then brought back last year as the offensive coordinator under Sam Pittman, before stepping in as interim Head Coach when Pittman was let go earlier this season.
Before any of this happens, though, it's important to remember that Kiffin does not have the job yet and may not get it at all.
Whoever the next head coach is should still be willing to give Orgeron a call, though. It doesn't sound like it would take much convincing to get him back in purple and gold.
