Ed Orgeron “would have interest” in the open Northwestern head coaching position, according to InsideNU’s Bradley Locker.

Locker reported on Wednesday that Orgeron has not yet been contacted by the school about the position, but if he were to land on a shortlist for Pat Fitzgerald’s replacement, he’d be interested. Northwestern dismissed Fitzgerald on Monday after 17 seasons with the program following an investigation into allegations of hazing.

In the days since, several names have been tossed around for the vacancy. Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was linked to the job. There are a few other SEC assistants who make sense on paper. Former Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was mentioned as well.

Orgeron, who will turn 62 later this month, would be the splashiest hire of all of them for the Wildcats.

He hasn’t coached since 2021, a season in which he led the LSU Tigers to a 6-6 record. The program opened the year 4-3 and, just 1 day after a win over then-No. 20 Florida, LSU announced it had reached a mutual agreement with Orgeron to leave the program at the end of the year.

The Louisiana native led the Tigers to the 2019 College Football Playoff national championship, helped by Heisman winner Joe Burrow. That team is viewed by most as one of the greatest in the history of college football.

Oregeron went 51-20 at LSU, though the 2 years immediately following his national title featured an 11-11 mark.