Ed Orgeron’s magic and legacy at LSU extend beyond the football field and stadium. He was known not only for his passionate and vigorous leadership but also for his coaching prowess.
His deep Louisiana roots and unique gravelly voice gave him a distinctive presence in the sport, embodying the essence of Bayou State. So, what happened to Coach O? Where is he now? Let’s find out.
On October 17, 2021, Ed Orgeron announced his departure from the prestigious football program at LSU. According to reports, it was a mutual contract between the LSU athletic department. The departure wasn’t on the cards, but the sudden outburst of issues within the team members led to it.
Who Is Ed Orgeron?
Ed Orgeron is a well-known American football coach. Orgeron started his coaching career in 1984 with Northwest State (GA). He worked as a graduate assistant at Northwest State and, in the same year, at McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He then worked as an assistant coach for almost 2 years at the University of Arkansas under Ken Hatfield.
From 1988 to 1992, Ed began working with the University of Miami under the head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson. He worked as the defensive line coach along with the two. Here, Orgeron provided his support for almost 4 strong years.
Here, he coached the 8 Americans, which also includes NFL first-round draft choices Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland, and Warren Sapp.
In the upcoming years, Coach O worked for various teams at various lines. Listed are his tenure of working with teams, 1994: Nicholls State, 1995–1997: Syracuse, 1998–2004: USC, 2005–2007: Ole Miss, 2008: New Orleans Saints, 2009: Tennessee, 2010–2013: USC.
In 2013, he also secured the position of interim head coach for USC (University of Southern California). Ed soon secured his position at LSU (Louisiana State University) and worked from 2015 to 2021.
At LSU, he gained an affectionate pet name, “Coach O,” by fans and players. His journey with LSU was filled with a rollercoaster ride during his time as the head football coach. Orgeron’s fiery spirit and his connection to Louisiana made him an instant fan favorite.
In 2019, Orgeron and the LSU Tigers conquered the highest peak of success in college football by winning the national championship. The team secured their win with a memorable 15-0 mark table, recording a historic victory.
Coach O has recently launched a new book with the title “Flip The Script.” The book will focus on his life journey, from his player times to his coaching career.
The Departure Story of the Coach Ed Orgeron
On October 17, 2021, Ed Orgeron declared his departure from the prestigious football program at LSU. He was associated with the Louisiana State University (LSU) football team. After a victorious record in the national championship in 2019, Coach O left the team a year apart. Hence making his exit more unexpected and shocking.
So, what led to the departure of this charismatic and highly respected coach? After 2019, the team faced a hard time in the year 2020. The team struggled with a 5-5 record, a significant departure from the previous year’s triumph.
Moreover, a few scandals and allegations related to players committing crimes like sexual misconduct degraded the reputation. For the team Tigers, 2020 just seemed like a nightmare.
Therefore, in the heat of the events, Ed Orgeron and LSU mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2021 season. Coach O has voiced the inside story of her departure. At the Little Rock Touchdown Club, he mentioned his response to the department’s idea of departure, “What time do you want me to leave, and which door do you want me to use?”
Have you ever watched Coach O in action? What was your first thought after hearing departure news? Comment your views below!
