Why Ed Orgeron is rejoining LSU as assistant on Lane Kiffin's staff

Ed Orgeron's exit at LSU was awkward and in some ways embarrassing less than two years after winning a national championship. Both sides have evidently put the past behind them.

Orgeron has agreed to rejoin LSU's coaching staff under new head coach Lane Kiffin, giving Kiffin a familiar face to lean on as he settles into his new role in Baton Rouge.

The 64-year-old hasn't coached since parting ways with LSU in 2021, but he had said publicly that he hoped to coach again and even pushed to become the Tigers' head coach again after Brian Kelly was fired in October. "Hey, I'm one phone call away," Orgeron told ESPN Radio. "I just gotta get in my truck; I could be there today."

Orgeron won't be the head coach at LSU, but there is a good reason he is returning to the program after four seasons away.

Here's what you need to know about Orgeron's return and his new role.

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Why is Ed Orgeron returning to LSU?

Orgeron is from Louisiana and has made it clear he wanted to coach again. While his exit from the Tigers was awkward, the regime has been totally overhauled since 2021, and Orgeron has a strong relationship with Kiffin.

Orgeron was Kiffin's assistant head coach at Tennessee in 2009 and followed him to USC, where he served as defensive coordinator for four seasons. When Kiffin was infamously fired on the tarmac in 2013, Orgeron took over as the Trojans' interim coach.

It might have been tough for Orgeron to find his way back to LSU if a different hire was made, but Kiffin's salary and the Tigers' all-out push to hire him away serve as proof that it's his program now. With Kiffin calling the shots, it's no surprise to see him bring back a coach he leaned on so often at Tennessee and USC.

Given Orgeron's reputation as a terrific recruiter and his close ties to the area, Kiffin will be able to send the title-winning coach out to pitch players on coming to Baton Rouge. Here are the details on his role.

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Ed Orgeron's new role at LSU

Orgeron will serve as Kiffin's special assistant to recruiting and defense, LSU announced.

Ed Orgeron is returning to LSU and will serve as the special assistant to recruiting and defense for the Tigers pic.twitter.com/dfmnEeWpsW

While Orgeron's legacy might be the historic offense he cultivated at LSU in 2019, he comes from a defensive background and ran USC's defense under the offensive-minded Kiffin for four seasons. While holdover Blake Baker will run LSU's defense in 2026, Orgeron can impart some wisdom.

Recruiting could be where Orgeron is most valuable. A Louisiana native, Orgeron has a unique personality and a strong track record as a recruiter from his time as LSU's head coach, along with his stints elsewhere. Recruiting is different now than it was in the pre-NIL era, but it certainly won't hurt Kiffin to have someone who knows the ins and outs of the region as part of that effort.