2022 LSU Gumbo - Book - Page 48
Photos by Georgia Jones
Despite leading LSU’s team to a College Football
Playoff National Championship victory in 2019,
head coach Ed Orgeron stepped down from his
post immediately following the 2021 regular season.
Orgeron—who coached the Tigers for almost six
years as a defensive line coach and eventually, head
coach—announced his eventual departure less than
24 hours after LSU’s win over Florida in the annual
Homecoming game.
The university leaders and Orgeron agreed midway
through the campaign that a mutual separation was
in the best interest of the program after two sub-par
seasons in a row. This announcement was made at a
press conference on Sunday, Oct. 17, along with LSU
Athletic Director Scott Woodward. Woodward initially
approached Orgeron about making a change following
LSU’s loss at Kentucky on Oct. 9, which Orgeron
agreed would be best.
Based on a statement from Woodward, he noted
that the football team’s last two seasons had not met
the standards the athletic program holds for it. Along
with this, based on on-field results and evaluation of
the potential for future immediate success, it was time
for LSU to move in a new direction.
“Ultimately, we have very high standards for all
of our sports programs at LSU,” Woodward said
via Twitter. “We will stand proudly behind our
expectations of competing for SEC and national
championships year in and year out.”
Orgeron’s departure saw LSU agree to roughly a $17
million buyout with him to finish out his contract. He
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received his guaranteed money upon his exit as he was
removed “without cause.” With two payments every
year, it will take until 2025 to fully repay Orgeron of his
contract.
The beloved coach finished his stint at LSU with an
overall record of 51-20. He won an SEC Championship
during his tenure and of course, the 2019 national title
that will go down in history as one of the best college
football teams of all-time. Though he is leaving LSU,
Orgeron has declared that he will take a break from
coaching for the time being. He expressed he will use
this time to step back and spend time with his kids.
“I want to take a little time off,” Orgeron said in a
press conference. “I’m 60 years old, I’ve coached for 37
years. I think I’m going to have enough money to buy
me a hamburger, and every once in a while, maybe a
double meat cheeseburger.”
Though the football team qualified to compete in
the Texas Bowl game against Kansas State on Jan. 4,
Orgeron did not lead the Tigers into battle that day. He
ended his coaching career at LSU after a thrilling lastminute victory over Texas A&M.
“I told the guys I wish them luck,” Orgeron said
according to USA Today. “I’m not going to sit here and
coach when there’s another guy coming in to be the
head coach this week or the week after that. I’m not
gonna do that.”
LSU Offensive Line Coach Brad Davis led the Tigers
during their game against Kansas State as he became
the first African American head coach in the school’s
storied history.