Lane Kiffin didn’t waste any time making a splash in Baton Rouge. At his introductory press conference as LSU’s new head coach, Kiffin brought his trademark wit, a few well-timed jokes, and-perhaps most notably-a nod to a familiar Tiger legend.
While recounting his first drive past Tiger Stadium, Kiffin said he felt something that only LSU can stir up. “We were going by Tiger Stadium, and I called one person - I called Ed Orgeron,” Kiffin said. “And I said, ‘Hey man, this place makes me want to talk like you right now.’”
That’s classic Kiffin-part football mind, part showman. But there’s more to that moment than just a laugh.
It’s a signal that he understands the culture he’s stepping into. LSU isn’t just another SEC job.
It’s a place with swagger, history, and a fan base that lives and breathes purple and gold. And few embodied that more than Orgeron.
Kiffin went on to describe how, with his kids and assistants in the car, he rolled down the window and let out a full-throated “Go Tigers!” to passing fans.
“I said, ‘I don’t know. I am channeling Ed right now, I am feeling him.’”
That prompted a call to Orgeron himself, who responded in true Coach O fashion: “Coach, you are at the best place in America.”
And Kiffin? “I feel that,” he said.
That’s not just lip service. That’s a coach who’s already leaning into the energy of Death Valley.
Orgeron’s legacy at LSU looms large. In six seasons, he went 51-20 overall and posted a 31-17 mark in SEC play.
But it was the 2019 season that cemented his place in Tiger lore. That team went 15-0, steamrolled its way to a national title, and produced one of the most dominant single seasons in college football history.
Names like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson became household names, but it was Orgeron who was the face of the program’s swagger.
Things eventually cooled off. After consecutive .500 seasons in 2020 and 2021, LSU parted ways with Orgeron. But his impact on the program-and his connection to the LSU faithful-never really faded.
There’s another layer to the Kiffin-Orgeron connection. The two share more than just SEC roots.
Orgeron once took over for Kiffin at USC in 2013 after Kiffin was fired midseason. As interim head coach, Orgeron went 6-2 and nearly earned the full-time gig, only to be passed over in favor of Steve Sarkisian.
That moment, in hindsight, became a turning point for both coaches.
Now, years later, their paths cross again-this time in Baton Rouge, with Kiffin stepping into the role Orgeron once held. And while their coaching styles and personalities may differ, Kiffin seems to understand the assignment: LSU expects energy, authenticity, and wins.
Kiffin’s got the offensive mind to bring fireworks back to Tiger Stadium. But just as important, he appears ready to embrace the culture that makes LSU such a unique beast in the college football landscape. If his first impression is any indication, he’s not just here to coach-he’s here to connect.
And yes, maybe even channel a little Coach O along the way.