LSU Football: Ed Orgeron won’t be taking it easy on family in 2021

LSU football is set to play McNeese State on September 11 in week two of the 2021 season.

In most years, this would be an unremarkable matchup against an in-state FCS program.

But that won’t be the case this season.

That’s because Ed Orgeron’s son, Cody, is McNeese State’s starting quarterback.

Ed Orgeron won’t be taking it easy on Cody Orgeron

While there’s no doubt that Orgeron deeply loves his son, it doesn’t mean the Tigers will be taking it easy on McNeese State this season.

Orgeron spoke to reporters at SEC media days on Monday and he was asked about the matchup against his son.

“Cody is a very competitive young man,” said Orgeron (via 247Sports). “They’re going to give us their best shot. My son is going to give me all I can get. And guess what? I’m going to give him all I can give him, and that’s just the way it’s going to be.”

“He’s going to expect my best, and I’m going to expect his best,” added Orgeron. “We’re going to compete, but we’ll shake hands and hug after the game.”

As a parent, I can’t imagine how tough it would be to coach against my own son.

But at the same time, I can’t imagine what it would be like to coach an SEC football team, either.

Orgeron is wired differently than most. It’s why he’s an elite college football coach and one of only five active coaches who has a national championship to his credit.

Cody is undoubtedly wired differently as well. Playing quarterback at any level in college is an incredible feat that very few people will ever have the chance to do.

LSU is obviously going to win this matchup — barring a miraculous upset by McNeese State. But even though there has to be an Orgeron that walks away with a loss, there’s no question that this will be an incredibly special game/moment for Coach O and his son.