LSU hires Ed Orgeron as recruiting and defense special assistant

Louisiana State University has brought former head coach Ed Orgeron back to its football program, hiring him as a special assistant to recruiting and defense on new head coach Lane Kiffin’s staff. The university announced the move Wednesday, reuniting the 2019 national championship-winning coach with the school he led for six seasons.

Orgeron, 64, will work closely with Kiffin, with whom he shares a long professional history. The two previously coached together as assistants at USC from 2001 to 2004. Kiffin later hired Orgeron to his staffs at Tennessee in 2009 and USC from 2010 to 2013. Orgeron ultimately succeeded Kiffin as USC's interim head coach to close the 2013 season. More recently, the two were head coaching rivals in the Southeastern Conference, with Orgeron at LSU and Kiffin at Ole Miss.

In a statement, Kiffin said he was excited to bring Orgeron back, citing his recruiting prowess and understanding of the program’s championship expectations. Kiffin highlighted Orgeron’s ability to recruit elite players nationally and his particular impact within the state of Louisiana.

Orgeron’s tenure as LSU’s head coach from 2016 to 2021 was marked by historic highs and a swift...