After November 2021, the LSU Tigers might feel the same restlessness now. It occurred four years back when Brian Kelly took Ed Orgeron’s seat. So, fans must look forward to LSU athletic director Scott Woodward’s decision in the coming days. After all, he has hired Kelly, baseball head coach Jay Johnson, and women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey, among others. However, Woodward is left on the sidelines for this coach hunt. That’s where it’s a clear red signal for Orgeron, who has hinted at hitting the ‘return’ button if given a chance.

On October 29, Chris Vannini tweeted, “The downside of the LSU job… always having to deal with the political messes. The governor says the coach will be hired by the LSU board — many of whom were appointed by the governor.”

Before Vannini, Tiger Rag.com columnist Glenn Guilbeau reported, “Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry just said at a press conference that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will NOT be hiring LSU’s next football coach. It will be LSU’s Board of Supervisors.”

The clock’s ticking for LSU. It has been four days since the head coach’s seat became empty after four seasons. Woodward had made the call for Kelly, noting in a statement that “the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize” under the former head coach. According to reports, the Tigers’ AD allegedly influenced the decision to fire Kelly.

The responsibility doesn’t rest on his shoulders to figure out the replacement. A board of supervisors will run the hunt. Will Landry change his mind at the last minute, putting the power in the LSU AD’s hands again?

The chances are slim, as he made it jokingly clear he would rather choose President Donald Trump to make the pick than count on Woodward. He won’t be part of the board of supervisors either. “I’m not going to be picking the next coach, but I can promise you we’re gonna pick a coach and we’re gonna make sure that that coach is successful…I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill,” said Landry. It’s the very reason the LSU AD is not part of the supervisor’s team.

After all, it was Woodward who agreed to a 10-year, $95 million contract with Kelly that included incentives and left LSU on the hook for a $54 million buyout under the terms of the deal. And what did the Tigers receive in return? 

A defense that struggled to stop opponents. The Tigers were last in the SEC in rushing (116.4 yards) in 2024, and went a step down this season, averaging 106.3 rushing yards and 25.5 points. Moreover, Kelly’s $20 million in the talent pool is well documented. The end result? The Tigers lost to Vanderbilt, a team that has performed extraordinarily well above its usual standards. Given the governor is in control, will Orgeron be lucky to get a second chance?

LSU stands firm despite talk of a familiar face returning

The Tigers squad must be forever grateful to their former head coach, Orgeron. After all, they witnessed the last Natty win in 2019 during his reign. Now that Kelly has left his seat, and LSU is still searching for a head coach, Orgeron openly admitted how desperate he is to book a return ticket to Baton Rouge. He said, “Oh. I would love to. You kidding me? I’m one call away.”

It’s the same man who went 15-0 with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, writing a success story. It looks like Orgeron is even open to negotiations to take up an assistant role in the LSU camp. He confidently stated, “Yeah. I’ll consider it. I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved it when I coached under coach Miles, being the defensive line coach. I love the Tiger and I’m getting back to coaching, and for sure I consider it. No doubt.” However, given the LSU governor’s strict protocol, we must not forget why the former head coach got the boot.

Orgeron was the second-highest paid coach in the country at more than $8 million a year, with a buyout of $17 million. Under him, LSU’s defense allowed an average of 379.3 yards per game in the 2021 season, which ranked 10th in the SEC. During their 2021 season opener against UCLA, the Bruins steamrolled past LSU 38-27, unleashing 468 yards of offensive fury and suffocating the Tigers to 48 rushing yards. And Orgeron cannot even count on Woodward to vouch for him.

After all, the LSU AD himself is standing on quicksand. The ESPN Baton Rouge beat writer, Matt Moscona, did a field survey. After talking to some inside sources, the vibe felt off, and he believes LSU would make an immediate switch in the AD position, showing Scott Woodward the exit door.

“I think that’s going to happen within the next two weeks. And I would expect one of the first things the university president does is replace the athletic director,” said Moscona. The drought’s dragged on long enough. Will this new-look program finally be built to bring the trophy home?