Former Head Coach Ed Orgeron Returning To LSU Tigers On Lane Kiffin's Staff

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A lot of LSU Tigers fans are about to be very happy, as former head football coach Ed Orgeron is back in purple and gold, joining Lane Kiffin's staff as a "special assistant to recruiting and defense," the team announced on Wednesday night.

Orgeron, of course, was most recently the head coach of the Tigers from 2016 to 2021. He was a fan favorite and led the program to the best season in school history in 2019. There was a lot of talent on that roster and on that coaching staff, which showcased all of his strengths as a coach.

Having him on the staff, helping with recruiting and the defense, is about as great a situation as Kiffin could have asked for. The two have long been friends, first coaching together with the USC Trojans back in the early 2000s, with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2009 and then four more years with the Trojans after that.

It had been previously stated by Orgeron that he would be open to joining Kiffin's staff as an assistant, but it wasn't really clear in what role that would be. This works out very nicely for everyone involved. The Louisiana native is a prolific recruiter, one of the best in the history of the sport. With him being in an off-field role, they get to avoid any sort of awkwardness or power struggle, given Orgeron's history at the school.

Before Kiffin was even hired as LSU's head coach, Orgeron said he would coach for Lane if he was hired.

"Yeah, I'd consider it. I love LSU. I've still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved it 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 the Louisiana native back in October.

The Tigers' new recruiting staff has already been off to a hot start since being put together just a few months ago. They put the finishing touches on one of the best high school classes in the nation last year and also completely reworked the roster with the best transfer portal class. 

So far, for the 2027 class, they already have a five-star in Ahmad Hudson and are favored to flip in-state five-star wideout Easton Royal from the Texas Longhorns. Add in Orgeron and this is sure to be one of the most dangerous recruiting units in the country.

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