Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has been in communication with Arkansas about the school’s vacant head coaching job, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos.
The report also mentions Oregon State as a potential landing spot for Orgeron, who has been out of coaching since 2021, when he and LSU parted ways. Recently, Orgeron has made it abundantly clear that he wants to return and is willing to accept an assistant position on another head coach’s staff if that’s what it takes.
Orgeron threw his name in the hat for the LSU job when the Tigers fired Brian Kelly last month. He said in August he hoped to return and has been connected to several jobs that have come open since the 2025 season began.
At Arkansas, he would take over for Sam Pittman, who was dismissed earlier this year after a 2-3 start. Pittman had a 32-34 record across 5-plus years with the program.
The appeal with Orgeron is obvious. He understands the SEC, having spent a total of 9 years coaching at Ole Miss and then at LSU. He went 51-20 with the Tigers, engineering a perfect season in 2019 that culminated with a national championship. That 2019 team is regarded as one of the best national champions of all time.
But, to this point, Arkansas links have suggested other names. Former Penn State head coach James Franklin has frequently been linked to the Razorbacks’ opening.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee was also briefly linked to the job before inking a contract extension with the Mustangs.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
