Meet Edward James “Coach O” Orgeron Jr., the gravelly-voiced Cajun who led LSU to a perfect championship season and is now plotting his return to college football. Born on July 27, 1961 in Larose, Louisiana, this 64-year-old coaching legend has spent the last four years away from the sidelines, but don’t mistake his absence for retirement. He’s got the itch to coach again, and he’s not shy about saying so.
Biography
Growing up on Bayou Lafourche with his brother Steve, young Ed (nicknamed “Bebe”) was surrounded by Louisiana’s fishing and hunting culture. His parents, Edward “Ba Ba” Orgeron Sr. and Cornelia “Co Co” Orgeron, couldn’t afford LSU football tickets but dreamed big for their boy. Little did they know he’d one day deliver the Tigers their first national championship in over a decade.
After signing with LSU straight out of South Lafourche High School, where he won a state championship alongside future NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert in 1977, he returned home after just two weeks due to homesickness. He spent time working on shrimp boats and digging ditches.
He transferred to Northwestern State University, reunited with Bobby Hebert as his roommate, and kept shovelling shrimp during summer breaks. It was there that his coaching journey began in 1984 as a graduate assistant, setting him on a path that would span four decades.
Career
Orgeron’s breakthrough came in 1988 when he joined the University of Miami under Jimmy Johnson. As defensive line coach, he moulded eight All-Americans, including future NFL legends like Warren Sapp and Russell Maryland. The Hurricanes won two national championships (1989 and 1991) during his tenure, and he even recruited a young Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose famous wrestling catchphrases allegedly originated from Orgeron’s coaching style.
But success came with struggles. In 1992, following incidents including a bar fight in Baton Rouge, Orgeron took a leave of absence that became permanent. It was a wake-up call that sent him back to his parents’ home in Larose, where his father helped him sort out his life.
After returning to coaching at Nicholls State as a volunteer in 1994, Orgeron rebuilt his reputation at Syracuse University before landing at USC in 1998. Under Pete Carroll, he flourished as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, winning National Recruiter of the Year honours in 2004.
His first head coaching gig at Ole Miss (2005-2007) was, let’s be honest, a disaster. With a 10-25 record over three seasons and no bowl appearances, he was sacked in 2007. It was humbling, but each setback taught him lessons that would serve him later.
A stint with the New Orleans Saints as defensive line coach (2008) and a year at Tennessee with Lane Kiffin followed. Then it was back to USC as interim head coach in 2013, where he went 6-2 but was passed over for the permanent position.
In 2015, Orgeron returned to his beloved LSU as defensive line coach. When Les Miles was sacked four games into the 2016 season, Ed stepped up as interim head coach. The “interim” tag was removed after he guided the Tigers to a 6-2 record to finish the season.
The 2019 LSU Tigers went 15-0, steamrolling everyone in their path to claim the national championship. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, the team averaged over 48 points per game. They demolished Alabama 46-41 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, destroyed Oklahoma 63-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinals, and defeated the defending champions, Clemson, 42-25 in the national championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Orgeron collected every significant coaching honour: AP College Football Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Award, Home Depot Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, George Munger Award, AFCA Coach of the Year, and SEC Coach of the Year. He became just the third LSU coach to receive the Eddie Robinson Award after Paul Dietzel and Nick Saban.
Sometimes, what goes up must come down. The 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, and LSU struggled to a 5-5 record. The 2021 season started promisingly but fizzled out. Despite reaching bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record, Orgeron and LSU mutually agreed to part ways after the season. Off-field controversies, including Title IX lawsuits, had also cast shadows over the program.
Post-LSU Journey and Return Ambitions
After leaving LSU in November 2021 with a £13.6 million ($17.1 million) buyout, Orgeron deliberately stepped away from football in 2022 for the first time in over four decades. “I had no plans to coach at any level during the upcoming 2022 season,” he confirmed early that year.
But the coaching bug never truly left. The turning point came in August 2024, when he told Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast, “I’ve got the itch.” Yeah, I think it’s time.” By October 2025, he declared on WAFB-TV: “I left a little bit of meat on the bone. I’m ready to go.”
He’s not looking for just any job, though. In December 2024, on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, he outlined specific requirements: a program that competes for national championships with elite NIL resources and “a coach that wouldn’t be intimidated by me being on staff.” He named USC, LSU, Penn State, Ohio State, Florida, and Nebraska as ideal destinations, adding memorably, “This boy ain’t never gonna coach at Alabama.”
When LSU fired Brian Kelly in October 2024, Orgeron made no secret of his interest. “Are you kidding me? I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck; I could be there today,” he told ESPN Radio. He offered pointed criticism of Kelly, suggesting he “never embraced the state of Louisiana.” Lane Kiffin ultimately got the job, and while Kiffin called Orgeron for advice, no staff position was offered.
Reports from November 2025 linked Orgeron to the Arkansas head coaching vacancy and the Oregon State search. He confirmed communication with Arkansas but stated: “I have not had a job offer that would fit what I want to do.” He’s also been connected to Tulane following Jon Sumrall’s departure for Florida, notably where his stepson, Tyler, currently coaches.
Personal Life
Orgeron’s been married and divorced twice. His first marriage was to Colleen (1992-1994). His second was to Kelly, whom he met on a blind date at the 1996 Liberty Bowl. They had three boys together before Orgeron filed for divorce in February 2020, just 43 days after signing his LSU contract extension, ending their 23-year marriage.
The divorce prompted a four-year legal battle. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in June 2025 that Kelly is entitled to £6.5 million ($8.13 million), half of the net buyout after agent fees. The court determined the buyout constituted community property because Orgeron signed the binding term sheet during the marriage.
Orgeron has moved on romantically. He announced his engagement to Bailie Lauderdale (also known as Brandy Nicole) on Twitter in May 2023, sharing photos of a diamond ring. The Hammond, Louisiana, fashion model and business owner, approximately 31-32 years old, has been photographed with Orgeron since around 2020. This will be his third marriage.
Three of his sons work in college football. Cody Orgeron, 26, serves as quarterback analyst at Miami, where he’s been since March 2022 under Mario Cristobal. His twin brother Parker joined him at Miami in March 2024 as a defensive analyst, having previously worked at Louisiana (2022) and Baylor under Dave Aranda (2023). Both twins played for current Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry at McNeese State.
Tyler Spotts-Orgeron, Ed’s stepson from his marriage to Kelly, works as Tulane’s offensive analyst and tight ends coach. He legally added “Orgeron” to his name to honour the family. His presence at Tulane, which won the American Athletic Conference Championship in 2025, has kept Ed connected to the programme.
Net Worth
Ed Orgeron’s net worth was previously estimated at around £16 million ($20 million), though the recent divorce settlement significantly impacts that figure. His £13.6 million ($16.95 million) buyout from LSU arrived in 18 instalments from December 2021 through December 2025, with the final £339,000 ($426,000) payment concluding the arrangement in late 2025.
With Kelly’s £6.5 million ($8.13 million) award from the divorce settlement, his current net worth is likely closer to £8-10 million ($10-12 million).
Beyond coaching, he has other sources of income. Speaking engagements (£24,000-£40,000 or $30,000-$50,000 per appearance, according to speaker bureaus). His 2020 book “Flip the Script: Lessons Learned on the Road to a Championship” features a foreword by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Raising Cane’s, and Capital One
Orgeron purchased a £1.04 million ($1.3 million) home in Baton Rouge in 2017 and sold it for £1.2 million ($1.5 million) in 2021. He owns a condo in Destin, Florida, bought for £880,000 ($1.1 million) in 2018. After briefly living in Miami Beach to be near his sons, he relocated back to Baton Rouge by late 2024, explaining, “I moved back to Baton Rouge, in case we do get a job.”
Controversies
The most serious controversies involved Title IX issues related to former LSU running back Derrius Guice. Allegations that Orgeron was informed about sexual assault claims but failed to take appropriate action led to lawsuits. The Title IX lawsuit was resolved in March 2024 when LSU settled with 10 former students for £1.5 million ($1.9 million). The university admitted no liability or wrongdoing, and a gag order prevents public discussion of terms. With the settlement finalised, no active litigation involving Orgeron remains.
After the magical 2019 season, Orgeron faced criticism for his inability to maintain that level of success. Staff changes, including the departure of passing game coordinator Joe Brady, contributed to disappointing follow-up seasons.