Ed Orgeron Reflects on LSU’s Championship Glory
Ed Orgeron celebrated the triumph of the LSU Tigers, raising the trophy after their victory over Clemson in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. However, just 21 months after he guided the 2019 LSU squad to a flawless 15-0 record and a national championship—establishing one of the greatest college football teams in history—LSU announced that Orgeron would part ways with the program at the end of that season.
Recently, during an appearance on “Andy & Ali On3,” Orgeron reminisced about that remarkable championship journey. He confidently stated that the 2019 team surpassed any college football team ever assembled. “We have some great teams,” he mentioned thoughtfully. “But the team we had didn’t have that talent,” he added, pausing for emphasis.
He singled out standout players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson, discussing their success in the NFL. “You can see what they’re doing now,” he mused. “Sure, there were one or two guys who might have played with us, but overall, that group of talent was exceptional. Now, I think the 2001 Miami team was impressive too; they deserve a mention.” It’s interesting to note that Orgeron served as an assistant coach for the Miami Hurricanes when they clinched the 2001 Bowl Championship Series national title.
Burrow, the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, stands out in this discussion. That same year, Justin Jefferson joined the NFL as a first-round draft pick, later earning accolades like the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Ja’Marr Chase also followed Burrow to Cincinnati when the Bengals selected him fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Orgeron remarked, “They always discuss who the best team is. I’d say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to win on the field.’ It never happened, but I believed they were great.”
The 2019 LSU team is not just noted for its undefeated record; their dominance prior to the national championship game is equally striking. Remarkably, the Tigers never trailed in the fourth quarter that season and established an all-time scoring record in college football.
