New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will join Lane Kiffin’s staff at Tennessee for next season, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The reports come after Louisiana Gannett reported Tuesday the former Ole Miss head coach would become the highest paid assistant on the LSU staff, taking the roles of associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach.
“I’d be shocked if he doesn’t take it,” former teammate Bobby Hebert told Gannett on Tuesday. “LSU definitely stepped up to the plate and gave him what he wanted. He’s going to be one of the highest paid assistant coaches in the country.”
Orgeron was the second coach reported to be joining the LSU defensive staff this week.
Multiple media outlets, including ESPN, reported Monday that former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis has agreed to become defensive coordinator at LSU.
ESPN reported Chavis will sign a multi-year deal with the Tigers later this week worth more than $500,000 annually.
Orgeron’s contract with LSU could have been in the $600,000 range, Hebert told Gannett.
LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette, with the LSU football team in Atlanta, denied anything official Monday regarding Chavis.
“I’m getting some calls, but we’ve announced nothing,” Bonnette said. “There’s nothing to report on that at this point. I’ve heard the rumors as well, but there’s nothing to it at this point.”
LSU coach Les Miles said in a news release Monday afternoon he will not comment on his staff until the team returns to Baton Rouge following the Tigers’ matchup with No. 14 Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Wednesday.
“There will not be any announcement regarding our coaching staff until we return to Baton Rouge,” Miles said. “Right now the only thing we are focused on is getting ready to play Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and I don’t want to do anything to take away from the opportunity our team has here in Atlanta. We have a chance to win our eighth game and finish the season on a positive note and that’s our focus.”
LSU co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto has already been named Northwestern State’s head coach. LSU co-defensive coordinator Doug Mallory has been linked to the defensive coordinator position at New Mexico.
In addition to time with Ole Miss and the New Orleans Saints, Orgeron has also served as USC’s recruiting coordinator, Arkansas’ strength coach and Miami’s defensive line coach.
Chavis spent the last 14 seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator before Volunteers coach Phil Fulmer was fired earlier this season.
The Vols ranked No. 4 nationally in total defense this season despite their 5-7 season.