LSU is in sizzling pursuit of Lane Kiffin in a training 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 title 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 job on Kiffin’s workers.
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 can be open to a return to teaching and, notably, to LSU.
“I really like LSU,” Orgeron stated in October. “I nonetheless acquired my residence in Baton Rouge. I beloved after I coached with coach [Les] Miles being the defensive position coach. I really like the Tigers. And I am getting again to teaching. For positive I might think about it. Little question.”
Ole Miss desires readability from Lane Kiffin. He isn’t able to offer it. What’s subsequent?
John Talty
Orgeron can be a pure match on Kiffin’s workers. 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 faculties.
Kiffin and Orgeron, each assistants on the time, first shared a workers at USC in the course of 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 yr 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 completed with Kiffin. That’s no forgone conclusion as, at this level in a whirlwind course of, it appears there is no such thing as a 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 desires readability in Kiffin’s decision-making course of, and whereas he pushed again on the concept that the Rebels gave him an “ultimatum” to both shut down his suitors or pack his luggage, the dearth of finality solely appears to get extra awkward by the day. There might come a degree the place the perimeters should determine whether or not to press on with Faculty Soccer Playoff preparations or half methods, and based on CBS Sports activities’ John Talty, if Ole Miss is just not satisfied that Kiffin is dedicated to the Rebels long-term, it won’t let him coach within the postseason.
