Ed Orgeron Calls for Trump’s Involvement in College Sports
It hasn’t been long since Ed Orgeron last stepped off a football field—less than five years—but major changes have swept through the sport, especially with the rise of the NIL era.
Orgeron, who led LSU to a national championship featuring Joe Burrow—whom he deemed the “greatest transfer ever”—reflects on an era he considers one of the finest in college football history. Yet, the landscape has shifted dramatically, prompting former President Donald Trump to take action, describing college sports as needing saving.
The specifics around Trump’s executive order remain somewhat unclear, but Orgeron expresses a desire for Trump to engage more actively with the issues at hand.
“I think he should be more involved,” Orgeron mentioned in a recent discussion. “Something has to happen. Our sport is being killed, man.”
He added, “I appreciate players getting paid; it seems fair. But there should be limits and established rules regarding the transfer portal. It feels a bit chaotic.” Orgeron emphasized that there needs to be mutual benefit—while players deserve compensation, schools need some assurances in return.
“The president loves football and he’s a friend of mine. The more we can do to stabilize college football, the better for everyone,” he remarked.
Recently, Trump labeled the NIL situation as a “disaster,” expressing concerns for both college athletics and Olympic sports. He indicated that many college programs are disappearing and being dismissed as ‘inferior.’ Trump lamented the loss of teams he believed provided essential training for future Olympic athletes, noting that many were a great foundation for competition.
Orgeron continues to adjust to the evolving landscape as he collaborates with player agent Zvi Grossman, navigating this new chapter in the NIL era. Despite the financial influx in college sports, he holds on to a critical belief about recruiting.
“We still have to recruit, evaluate talent, and connect with families to create a championship team,” Orgeron explained. “Developing players is still key. Just because players are getting paid, doesn’t mean everyone is making the same as stars like Joe Burrow or Derek Stingley. It’s vital to grow at the school you choose.”
