Orgeron grew up in Larose, Louisiana, and is of Cajun descent. He played football at South Lafourche High School in Galliano, Louisiana (along with future NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert).
Orgeron signed with LSU but after one year, he transferred to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
After signed on as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State, Orgeron had coaching stops at McNeese State (1985); Arkansas (assistant strength coach 1986-87); Miami, Florida (defensive line 1988-1992); Nicholls State (linebackers 1994); and Syracuse (defensive line 1995-1997).
While he was at Miami, the Hurricanes won national championships in 1989 and 1991. Orgeron got into a bar fight in 1992 and a woman accused him of repeatedly attacking her. He took a leave of absence that resulted in his being fired. He got a second chance as a volunteer linebacker coach at Nicholls State and then Syracuse.
His big break came when he was hired by head coach Paul Hackett as a recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at USC. Hackett was fired in 2000 and new coach Pete Carroll retained Orgeron.
Orgeron was named assistant head coach in 2003 and National Recruiter of the Year in 2004. That’s when he was hired as head coach at Mississippi. With a losing record, he was fired at Ole Miss in 2007.
Orgeron landed as defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints and a year later he was hired by new USC coach Lane Kiffin as an associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach.
Kiffin was fired in September of 2013 and Orgeron was named interim head coach for the rest of that season. Under Orgeron, USC went 6-2 but they lost to UCLA and USC hired Steve Sarkisian. Orgeron resigned.
In January of 2015, LSU hired Orgeron as defensive line coach. In September of 2016, LSU fired long-time coach Les Miles and Orgeron was named interim head coach. LSU finished the season 6-2 and in November, Oregon was given the head coaching job.
LSU went 9-4 in 2017. In 2018, LSU had back-to-back upset wins over No. 8 Miami and No. 7 Auburn. They lost to No. 25 Florida but then upset No. 2 Georgia. After a loss to Alabama, LSU played undefeated Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. LSU beat UCF – UCF’s first loss since 2016.
Orgeron’s record at LSU is 38-9 and his overall head coaching record is 56-36. This is the first year that he has won a conference championship.
“I certainly followed Coach O and all that he’s done. Pulled for him,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. “It’s great to see him get the opportunity. I think at the end of the day you got to be a good fit. He certainly was a great fit for LSU. He’s put a good staff together. He’s provided great leadership and stability.
“But I think more importantly belief. He’s brought some passion into that program, not that they didn’t have it before, but I just think it’s been fun to watch.
“What they’ve done offensively has been incredible. I think he’s a great coach, one of the good people in the business. He’s worked his tail off to have the opportunity. I’m really happy for him. It’s been fun to watch him have the type of success that he’s had.”
LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and passing game coordinator Joe Brady revitalized a Tiger offense that was predictable under Miles. Ensminger, who played quarterback for LSU under former coach Charles McClendon, was coaching tight ends and promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018.
“He’s the MVP,” Orgeron said of Ensminger. “Steve and I met. We knew we had to go through the spread. We wanted to find someone that could come in, put in the spread, be receptive to it.
“He’s older, 61. Joe is 30. They work like two brothers in there. Been phenomenal. Steve calls most of the plays. He’s worked his tail off to learn the spread offense. He’s the general.
“Steve loves LSU, played at LSU, has been at LSU a long time. He’s a very unselfish football coach, wants what is best for the football team. I think you have to crown him the MVP of the whole deal.”
Brady spent two seasons with the New Orleans Saints before joining LSU.
Orgeron knows OU’s offense will present challenges.
“I think teams win championships, obviously,” Orgeron said. “We have obviously been very, very good on offense. But in order for us to get here, our defense has had to improve throughout the season, and I think they have.
“In order for us to get to where we want to go, our defense has to play very, very well in the Peach Bowl against an outstanding offense. We’re going to face outstanding offenses. I think you have to win as a team, but I think your defense has to be very, very strong.’
If LSU beats Oklahoma, the Tigers will play for the national championship in New Orleans. It will be like a home game for LSU.
“It doesn’t come into play at all in my mind,” Orgeron said. “This is such an important game for us. We have so much respect for Oklahoma. Just like playing in the SEC, you got to take it one game at a time.
“You play great opponents with great talent, with great coaches every week. You have to prepare. You have to give it your all. There’s no way you can look behind, no way you can look ahead. You got to get the most out of each day. That’s what our team is here to do in Atlanta.”