Lane Kiffin had one main reason for bringing Ed Orgeron back to LSU

Ed Orgeron. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin had one main reason for bringing Ed Orgeron back to LSU

By Anne Erickson | Last updated May 28, 2026 9:30 PM ET

Lane Kiffin is gearing up for his first season as the head coach of the LSU football team, and one of the moves he made is bringing Ed Orgeron back to serve as a special assistant to recruiting and defense.

Orgeron hadn't worked in football since parting ways with LSU in 2021 after six seasons and a 51-20 record. He's best known for his 15-0 title-winning season back in 2019, which featured a stacked roster, including quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase.

On Tuesday, Kiffin was asked by reporters about what it meant to bring Orgeron. The head coach also opened up about why he wanted Orgeron back in the fold.

Lane Kiffin discusses bringing Ed Orgeron back to LSU: It was the "perfect time"

"It just seemed like the perfect time to bring him back," Kiffin said, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. "We talked for a number of days about it. We had to figure out exactly what it was. I feel awesome about it."

Lane Kiffin on Orgeron's return to LSU: "It just seemed like the perfect time to bring him back. We talked for a number of days about it. We had to figure out exactly what it was. I feel awesome about it."

He adds on the recruiting benefit of having Orgeron on the road… https://t.co/0UxiB5yF5I
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 26, 2026

So, the main reason is that the timing was perfect. As for what Orgeron will do at LSU, he's largely expected to heavily recruit.

"While Orgeron's title is ambiguous, recent NCAA rule changes allow for him to get out on the road and recruit for the Tigers if Lane wants him to — which he obviously should," notes John Talty of CBS Sports. "Coach O knows and loves LSU and can authentically sell its merits to both Louisiana natives and others around the South."

Kiffin confirmed this idea on Tuesday, stating that regarding the recruiting benefit of having Orgeron on the road: "That's a tremendous value anywhere, let alone the state of Louisiana."

Anne Erickson

Anne Erickson is an award-winning news reporter covering the NFL, NBA, college sports and more for Yardbarker. Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and other sports, and her work has been published by Fox Sports, ESPN and Newsweek, among others. She has also interviewed a bevy of big names in sports and entertainment, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott

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