Ed Orgeron checks in on former assistant who was promoted amid coaching change

Ed Orgeron and LSU parted ways at the end of the 2021 season, just 2 years removed from the Tigers’ historic national championship run led by Joe Burrow. That said, LSU’s declining on-the-field performance forced AD Scott Woodward into making a move and ultimately hiring Brian Kelly.

Orgeron didn’t walk away empty-handed: his buyout was a cool $17 million. While he’s opened the door to an eventual return, he’s been spotted down in Florida catching rays on the beach.

That doesn’t mean that he’s not been keeping tabs on the sport during his first break from the sidelines in nearly 30 years. Colorado recently parted ways with head coach Karl Dorrell and defensive coordinator Chris Wilson after an 0-5 start to the season, with Gerald Chatman being promoted to interim DC after initially serving as the team’s defensive line coach.

According to Buffzone’s Brian Howell, Orgeron has been checking in on Chatman, who was a defensive analyst at LSU last season:

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has called Colorado's interim DC Gerald Chatman each of the last few days to see how things are going as he transitions to a new role. Chatman worked at LSU last year – and has a solid Coach O impersonation #cubuffs

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) October 4, 2022

Chatman in January was hired by Tulane as its DL coach, but 2 months later took the same role in Boulder. With him leading an entire defensive unit for the first time in his career after a change in the coaching staff, having his former boss continually check in on him to see how things are going is certainly a plus.