Ed Orgeron and LSU still go side by side. After all, how can the Tigers forget the one who led them to one of the most dominant seasons in college football history. The 2019 team were the undefeated national champions. Joe Burrow exploded from a competent starter to a Heisman winning phenomenon. But glory fades away with the passing seasons. Less than two years after dominating the field, Coach O had to step away. LSU started 3-3 in 2021, and the program and Orgeron agreed to part ways by the season’s end. From 15-0 to 11-11 over his final two seasons, it was a reminder that even legends have their ebbs. But fast forward four years, it looks like the coaching itch is back.

Speaking at a stadium naming ceremony for former LSU star Patrick Queen at Queen’s alma mater, Livonia High, Orgeron told WAFB’s Jacques Doucet, “All depends what the best thing available is, Jacques, but I’m ready to coach again. I felt a little bit of meat on the bone, I’m ready to go.” So that brings us to the million dollar question. Where could he go?

Top five landing spots for Ed Orgeron 

The landscape is intriguing. Six FBS programs are suddenly up for grabs. Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA, and Virginia Tech all cut ties with their coaches early this season, while Kent State and Stanford entered 2025 with interim head coaches after late offseason firings. Let’s see how each program fits best with the unique coaching style of Coach O.

Arkansas

SEC pedigree is everything. Orgeron has deep roots in the conference, from his LSU glory days to a brief but formative stint at Ole Miss (2005–07). While that tenure at Oxford didn’t turn heads, his ties to Arkansas go way back. He was the assistant strength coach in the mid-80s. 

AD Hunter Yuracheck is ready to spend to turn the program around after Sam Pittman‘s firing. Ed Orgeron fits the bill perfectly with his recruiting chops, and a big personality to rally a fanbase desperate for hope. If Arkansas wants a coach who can add instant legitimacy to the program, Coach O brings the right amount of prestige with his legacy . And let’s be honest, there’s no shortage of financial incentive to lure him.

Oklahoma State

Over in Stillwater, the Big 12 is reeling. Mike Gundy, the program’s longest-tenured coach and winningest leader, was shown the door just three games into the 2025 season. That’s a seismic shift for a school that’s been otherwise defined by stability. And here comes Ed Orgeron, the man who can handle replacing a legend.

Sure, LSU wasn’t a walk in the park when he took over from Les Miles, but Orgeron thrived under the pressure. He inherited a program that was expected to contend and delivered in spades. The cowboys need grit, but the program also needs a larger-than-life personality to shake off the early-season chaos. The returning coach has the SEC experience and the national name recognition to give the Cowboys a jolt, both on the field and in recruiting rooms.

UCLA

Now, the West Coast is a different animal. Some might scratch their heads at the mismatch of classic Cajun Ed O amid the glitzy glam of Los Angeles, but it’s not exactly foreign territory. Remember USC? From 1998–2004, Coach O was the associate HC, DL coach, and recruiting coordinator under Pete Carroll, earning 2004 Recruiter of the Year honors. Fast forward to 2010, and he’s back in L.A., following Lane Kiffin from Tennessee to USC. When Kiffin was fired midseason in 2013, he stepped in as interim coach and was able to achieve a 6–2 record.

UCLA may be an unconventional fit, but Ed Orgeron knows the city, the recruiting grounds, and the spotlight. The Bruins are a storied program that craves stability and swagger, and who better to deliver both? Coach O’s a showman for sure, but he’s also a closer when the moment calls for it.

Virginia Tech

Down in Blacksburg, it’s desperation time. Brent Pry’s tenure ended after a winless start to 2025, leaving Virginia Tech scrambling for someone with head coaching experience and a proven track record in a power conference. That’s where Ed Orgeron comes in. A national championship on his resume serves to bolster the confidence behind choosing him. It can also help prevent existing recruits from decommitting.

Virginia Tech would get a coach with immense charisma and instant name recognition. The Hokies need someone to ignite the program, restore recruiting pipelines, and command respect in the ACC. If anyone can turn Blacksburg into a show again, it’s a man who’s won at the highest level, lived through the SEC gauntlet, and knows how to motivate young men with both fire and charm. Ed Orgeron brings all of that but sustained success isn’t guaranteed, as was seen at the end of his LSU tenure.

Tulane

Tulane might seem off the radar, but it’s all about timing. Jon Sumrall has built a buzz-worthy program in New Orleans, but Power Four programs have eyes on him. If he departs, the Green Wave would need someone who can keep the momentum alive and bring instant credibility. That someone could be Ed Orgeron.

The Louisiana connection is undeniable. Born in the state, played at LSU and Northwestern State, coached at McNeese, Nicholls, and of course LSU, coach O knows the recruiting map like the back of his hand. While he may not out-recruit LSU for the top-tier talent, he could keep many in-state prospects on the Gulf Coast, turning Tulane into a program that punches above its weight. His hiring can bring national attention. For a program like Tulane, that’s gold. If the job opens, he’s arguably the perfect short-term hire, a marquee coach to maintain or even elevate success until the next wave of coaching movement hits.

For Ed Orgeron, each opportunity comes with its own benefits. Arkansas offers SEC power and deep pockets. Oklahoma State has tradition with room for O’s brand of big personality. UCLA is familiar territory for him along with the lucrative location. Virginia Tech is a redemption story waiting to happen. And Tulane is a homecoming with a potential for instant impact. One thing is clear. Wherever Ed Orgeron lands next, it won’t be subtle. College football fans should be ready for the return of a larger-than-life character who knows how to win big and can make every game a spectacle.