Ed Orgeron told On3 he’s ready to return to college football after four years away from the game. The former LSU head coach isn’t limiting himself to head coaching positions.
The 64-year-old said he’d consider taking a defensive line coach role under the right circumstances.
“I’m not gonna take anything, and not everybody’s gonna take me. So, it may be a head coach job. It may be a defensive line job with someone that I believe can win a championship… I’m a championship coach and I’m gonna bring a winning program to their university.”
NEW: Ed Orgeron wants to be your head coach — or even your defensive line coach
“I’m not gonna take anything, and not everybody’s gonna take me. So, it may be a head coach job. It may be a defensive line job with someone that I believe can win a championship.
…I’m a… pic.twitter.com/tilrOn0ciw
— On3 (@On3sports) October 22, 2025
Orgeron led LSU to a perfect 15-0 season and national championship in 2019. That team featured Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.
His overall head coaching record stands at 67-47 across stops at Ole Miss, USC, and LSU.
The bigger question is whether Orgeron can adapt to today’s college football landscape. He hasn’t been involved in the NIL era that’s transformed recruiting and roster management.
LSU’s final seasons under Orgeron weren’t strong. The Tigers went 5-5 in 2020 and 6-6 in 2021 before the school and coach agreed to part ways.
LSU paid Orgeron a $17.1 million buyout after that 2021 season. That figure looks modest compared to recent coaching changes like Penn State’s $49 million extension for James Franklin.
Several head coaching positions could open after this season. Penn State and Florida represent the type of programs where Orgeron’s energy could spark a turnaround.
His willingness to consider assistant roles shows flexibility that wasn’t common among veteran head coaches in previous eras.
