LSU open to Ed Orgeron returning as assistant if Lane Kiffin takes Tigers job

LSU is in sizzling pursuit of Lane Kiffin in a teaching search saga that continues to dominate the SEC information cycle. And within the occasion the Tigers do safe Kiffin as their alternative for Brian Kelly, they have already got eyes on targets for his or her assistant teaching positions, together with one identify notably acquainted to these in Baton Rouge: Ed Orgeron. CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz has reported that LSU is open to hiring its former head coach to a task on Kiffin’s employees.

Orgeron, who led LSU to the 2019 nationwide championship because the spotlight of his six-year tenure because the Tigers’ coach from 2016-21, has been out of labor since his firing 4 years in the past. He made it recognized final month that he could be open to a return to teaching and, notably, to LSU.

“I like LSU,” Orgeron stated in October. “I nonetheless received my residence in Baton Rouge. I beloved after I coached with coach [Les] Miles being the line of defense coach. I like the Tigers. And I am getting again to teaching. For positive I might contemplate it. Little doubt.”

Orgeron could be a pure match on Kiffin’s employees. Not solely does he maintain robust ties to LSU as a former participant and nationwide title-winning coach, however his relationship with Kiffin dates again greater than 20 years and spans a number of colleges.

Kiffin and Orgeron, each assistants on the time, first shared a employees at USC through the peak of the Pete Carroll period. They reunited in 2009 when Kiffin, then the pinnacle coach at Tennessee, employed Orgeron as an assistant. The 2 moved again to USC the next 12 months when Kiffin took the Trojans job, and after Kiffin’s ouster in 2013, Orgeron took over as interim coach.

Earlier than LSU probably brings Orgeron again to Baton Rouge, it clearly first has to get a deal carried out with Kiffin. That’s no forgone conclusion as, at this level in a whirlwind course of, it appears there isn’t any telling whether or not the Ole Miss headman will take the job, bolt for Florida or stick with the Rebels. Including to the drama this week, Kiffin’s household took visits to Gainesville and Baton Rouge.

Ole Miss needs readability in Kiffin’s decision-making course of, and whereas he pushed again on the concept the Rebels gave him an “ultimatum” to both shut down his suitors or pack his baggage, the dearth of finality solely appears to get extra awkward by the day. There may come a degree the place the edges should resolve whether or not to press on with School Soccer Playoff preparations or half methods, and in keeping with CBS Sports activities’ John Talty, if Ole Miss isn’t satisfied that Kiffin is dedicated to the Rebels long-term, it is not going to let him coach within the postseason.