‘He’s Home’: LSU Players Erupt Over Coach O Return
Coach O Is Back: Ed Orgeron Returns to LSU with the Same Fire and Passion
Who Is Ed Orgeron and Why Does Everyone Call Him "Coach O"?
Imagine a coach who sounds like a foghorn, loves his players like family, and knows exactly how to get teenagers excited about playing football in Louisiana. That’s Ed Orgeron — but everyone just calls him "Coach O."
He’s 65 years old, has a voice that carries across the entire practice field, and he just came back to LSU for a second chance to help the Tigers win.
Important Point: This isn’t just a "feel-good" story. Coach O isn’t here to retire — he’s here to work, recruit, and win.
A Quick History: Coach O’s First Run at LSU
Coach O has been with LSU twice. Here’s the timeline in simple steps:
- First Arrival (2015): Hired as the Defensive Line Coach — the guy who teaches the big guys up front how to sack the quarterback.
- Promotion (2016): Became Interim Head Coach when the previous coach was fired mid-season.
- Full-Time Head Coach (2017–2021): Led the team for five full seasons.
- The Peak (2019): WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! The team went 15–0. It was one of the greatest seasons in college football history.
- The Decline (2020–2021): The team went 11–11 over the next two years. That’s not good enough for LSU.
- Departure (2021): LSU and Coach O parted ways. He didn’t take another coaching job — he just went home.
Why Is He Back Now? (And Why Lane Kiffin?)
After four years away, Lane Kiffin — the head coach at Ole Miss (and Coach O’s old buddy) — hired him as a Special Assistant to Recruiting and Defense.
They Go Way Back
- They worked together at USC (2009–2010) and Tennessee (2011–2013).
- Kiffin trusts Coach O completely.
- Kiffin says: "He can sell LSU to a recruit better than anyone on the planet."
Important Point: Recruiting is just a fancy word for "convincing the best high school players to pick your school." Coach O is elite at this.
What Is Coach O Actually Doing This Time?
He’s not the head coach. He’s a super-assistant. Here’s his daily job:
1. Coaching the Defensive Line (His "Bread and Butter")
- The D-line is young but talented.
- Three true freshmen might play right away:
- Lamar Brown
- Richard Anderson
- Deuce Geralds
- Coach O is teaching them how to be grown men on the field.
2. Helping the Other D-Line Coaches
There’s a whole room of new defensive line coaches:
- Kevin Peoples (Interior D-Line)
- Sterling Lucas (Defensive Line)
- Lou Spanos (Pass Rush Specialist)
- De’Andre Williams (Assistant)
Coach O acts like a wise uncle — he watches, gives tips, and helps them work together.
3. Being the "Big Picture" Guy
Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker (who used to work for Coach O) says:
"He sees things from a big-picture point of view. That helps all of us."
4. Bringing the ENERGY
Just ask Jordan Seaton, a transfer left tackle from Colorado:
"Coach O is probably the loudest coach I’ve ever heard. But he’s also the funnest, and he means business. He means well."
What Do the Players Think?
| Player | Who They Are | What They Said |
|---|---|---|
| Princewill Umanmielen | Transfer edge rusher from Ole Miss | "He was loud… real passionate. I’m trying to find a word — I don’t know." |
| Jordan Seaton | Transfer left tackle from Colorado | "He doesn’t take BS… he knows what it looks like to win." |
Important Point: Players respect him. Not because he yells — but because he cares, he knows football, and he’s won the whole thing before.
Why This Matters for LSU Right Now
- Recruiting: Coach O helps Kiffin land top talent.
- Development: Young d-linemen get coached by a legend.
- Culture: He brings accountability and standard.
- Experience: He’s seen it all — the top of the mountain, the fall, and now the climb back.
Important Point: Coach O was silent for one day (Monday) because he was sick. Lane Kiffin sent him home. But Kiffin knows: he won’t stay quiet for long.
Summary: The Bottom Line
- Ed Orgeron ("Coach O") is back at LSU after 4 years away.
- He won a national title here in 2019.
- He left after two rough seasons (11–11).
- Now he’s Lane Kiffin’s right-hand man for recruiting and defense.
- He’s coaching young defensive linemen, mentoring other coaches, and bringing unmatched energy.
- Players love him, respect him, and listen to him.
- He’s 65, but he’s got the fire of a 25-year-old.
- This isn’t a victory lap. It’s a mission.
FAQ: Your Questions, Answered Simply
Is Ed Orgeron the head coach again?
No. He’s a Special Assistant to the Head Coach (Lane Kiffin) for recruiting and defense. He helps — he doesn’t run the show.
Why did he leave in 2021?
After winning the national title in 2019, the team went 11–11 the next two years. At LSU, that’s not acceptable. He and the school mutually agreed to part ways.
What makes him so good at recruiting?
He’s genuine, passionate, and knows Louisiana. He talks to kids like they’re his own nephews. Plus — he has a national championship ring. That carries weight.
Who are the freshmen he’s coaching?
Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson, and Deuce Geralds — all true freshmen (first-year college players) who might play real snaps this season.
How long will he stay?
No one knows for sure. But he says he’s not here for a swan song. He’s here to work — and as long as he’s healthy and wanted, he’ll keep going.
Coach O is back. The voice is back. The passion is back. And LSU’s defensive line? They’re about to get a whole lot tougher.