Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is eyeing a potential return to the college football coaching ranks. It's been four years since Coach O last coached college football, and in a recent interview on Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take, the National Championship-winning head coach stated he "is getting the itch" to get back into coaching.
Looking ahead, what are some potential landing spots for Orgeron? He has plenty of coaching experience, and is very familiar with the recruiting landscape in the south, and especially in Louisiana. So, here are some potential head coaching fits for Orgeron, should he choose to return to the sidelines for the 2026-27 season.
1. Tulane
Jon Sumrall posted a 23-4 record in two seasons at Troy, and went 9-5 with a 7-1 AAC record in his first season at Tulane in 2024. Despite professing his commitment to the Green Wave, Sumrall remains one of the hottest coaching names to potentially land the next big job. He played college football at Kentucky, and a return to Lexington could make a lot of sense. If Sumrall leaves, Orgeron could be a perfect replacement for the head job in Uptown New Orleans.
Orgeron is very familiar with New Orleans, having recruited the area heavily during his time at SEC schools Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU. He also spent ample time in the bayou during his time at USC. He may not be able to attract elite talent away from LSU, but he could certainly get a lot of in-state players to stay in the Bayou State. It's also worth mentioning that Orgeron's eldest son Tyler is an offensive analyst and tight ends coach at Tulane.
2. Arkansas
The seat remains hot in Fayetteville for Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman. Pittman's record at Arkansas has dipped below the .500-mark to 30-31, and he's posted a less-than-ideal 14-28 record in SEC play. He is 3-0 in bowl games, having won the Outback Bowl in 2021 and the Liberty Bowl in 2022 and 2024. But, a pivotal season awaits Pittman in 2025.
If Arkansas and Pittman part ways, Orgeron's name might pop up as the school looks for a new head coach. Orgeron spent time at Arkansas early on in his coaching career, serving an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Razorbacks in 1986-87. He is obviously familiar with the SEC, and knows what it takes to build a winner. Plus, Orgeron calling the Hogs would make for fantastic sound bites.
3. UAB
The Trent Dilfer experiment in Birmingham has been an interesting one. Dilfer was given the head coaching job at UAB in December 2022 with zero collegiate coaching experience. He had spent the previous four seasons as the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, where posted an overall record of 44-10. Unfortunately, Dilfer's first college job has not yielded much success. He is just 7-17 overall and 6-11 in conference play through two seasons at the helm of the Blazer program.
The Dilfer hire was questionable to begin with, and if UAB decides to change course, going with a more proven, experienced, and successful college coach would make sense. Orgeron would bring life to a program that is trying to work its way back up to national relevance. Orgeron's hire would create national buzz and excitement that UAB is searching for. The Blazers also play at one of the finest facilities in the American, calling Protective Stadium home since its opening in 2021.