Former LSU Football head coach Ed Orgeron points out biggest NIL issue

Former LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron took time on Tuesday to speak with “McElroy and Cubelic in The Morning”.

Orgeron mostly talked about former Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’marr Chase.

Burrow, Chase, and the Cincinnati Bengals will be taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

Coach O raved about Burrow’s competitiveness and Chase’s toughness.

He also talked about the ever-changing landscape of college football, thanks to new NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules.

Former LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron points out the biggest issue with NIL

There are obviously a lot of issues that come along with NIL deals. We’re seeing college football recruiting turn into the highest bidder type situation. And that’s not good for the game.

I’m all for players profiting off their likeness, but this feels like it’s about to get out of hand — especially when you throw the NCAA transfer portal into the equation. That means the recruiting — and the money — never stops.

But that’s not the biggest issue that Orgeron sees with NIL deals.

He understands that players are going to get paid. But that also means that boosters will be giving more money. And they might want more control of the program (like the mess we’re seeing at Auburn with Bryan Harsin right now).

Here are Orgeron’s comments (via 247Sports):

"When the head coach has total control of his program, I think that’s key. Now, as this comes into play — I don’t know what’s going on at Auburn. I know this — the NIL, more money’s coming into play. The more people are going to have to give money somewhere. They’re going to want more control. I guess so. I don’t know. I don’t know that stuff. But the places that I’ve been, I’ve never seen it personally. It hasn’t trickled down to me. I’ve always had great relationships with those guys. But I know this, that — I learned this from Monte Kiffin — coaches coach, players play, administration administrates and boosters boost. And if we can keep it like that, I think that’s the way to have a great program. That’s what I’ve learned throughout my years."

Orgeron is spot on with his comments. This is something I hadn’t really thought about.

Boosters can already be a problem in college sports. They’re necessary to fund programs, but they don’t need to be making decisions for the program.

Maybe Orgeron chose the right time (or had the right time chosen for him) to get out of coaching.