Why LSU Football shouldn’t fire Ed Orgeron after disastrous loss to UCLA

LSU football didn’t get the job done on Saturday night against the UCLA Bruins.

For the second straight season, the Tigers are leaving week one with an 0-1 record after their 38-27 loss to the Bruins.

LSU’s defense gave up several big plays (shades of 2020) and the offense could never find its rhythm.

It was an ugly season-opener for a team that was supposed to be “back” after going 5-5 in 2020.

After the game, I scanned social media to get the pulse of the LSU fan base and how they felt about Ed Orgeron and his job status.

The comments I saw were mostly in favor of moving on from Coach O.

I certainly understand the frustration. And I think Orgeron is probably on the hot seat at this point.

A week ago, I thought the hot seat talk was silly. But after watching the way LSU played on Saturday night, it’s probably accurate.

And for anyone who thinks it’s premature, consider this: Gene Chizik was fired at Auburn just two years after going 14-0 and winning a national championship with Cam Newton.

It’s certainly possible that Joe Burrow was Ed Orgeron’s Cam Newton. If that’s the case, then the one-year wonder talk might be valid.

Ed Orgeron’s seat is warm, but LSU football can’t fire him…yet

While the loss to UCLA on Saturday night was disappointing, there were some legitimate reasons for the loss.

LSU had two first-time coordinators calling the game, and the team had to relocate from Baton Rouge to Houston for game week. It wasn’t an ideal situation for a season-opener against a Power-5 team (especially a Chip Kelly-led UCLA team that seems to finally be finding its groove).

Some struggles in the season-opener should’ve been expected — the Tigers were never going to compete for a national championship this season.

In fact, the expectations entering the season were for a 9 or 10 win season. That’s still possible.

LSU has two easy games coming up against McNeese State and Central Michigan, before playing Mississippi State on September 25.

That’s plenty of time for the Tigers to figure out their issues and get on the right track. At which point we can better judge Orgeron and the state of the program.

Beyond that, what good would firing Orgeron early in the season do? Who would even be the interim head coach (the staff is ripe with youth)?

If things continue to go south, then LSU can make a move around early to mid-November (maybe after the Alabama game). That’s when the coaching carousel typically gets started.

Making a move before then would be pointless.

LSU simply has to let this play out and see what happens before making any long-term decisions.