The Lane Kiffin era of LSU football just got even more interesting, with former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron signing on to the new staff for 2026.
LSU announced the move late Wednesday, with Orgeron's role defined as special assistant to recruiting and defense.
“I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU,” Kiffin said in a news release. “He brings us tremendous value with his ability to recruit elite players nationally, but especially the impact he can have for us recruiting the great state of Louisiana. Coach O understands my expectations and commitment to being a championship program. I look forward to seeing him with recruits and his intensity working with our defensive players.”
Hear WWL Radio's interview last week with Ed Orgeron in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Kiffin and Orgeron have an extensive history, with both coaches serving as assistants at USC earlier in their careers. Orgeron unsuccessfully attempted to hire Kiffin to his Ole Miss staff in 2005. Kiffin hired Orgeron to his Tennessee staff for a short run in Knoxville, and again to his new staff as USC head coach in 2010.
Orgeron, a Larose native who played collegiately at Northwestern State, took over the LSU head coaching job as an interim after the Tigers fired Les Miles midway through the 2016 season. He was named the full-time head coach the following year and ultimately led the Tigers to a perfect season and national title in 2019. LSU never found its footing again with Orgeron at the helm and he was fired two years later. He has not taken a coaching job since that point.
He'll also become the third LSU return hire in just a matter of months, with the program brining back another fired coach in Will Wade to lead men's basketball, with another former coach in Johnny Jones on his staff.
