Ed Orgeron ordered to pay ex-wife over $8 million after losing LSU buyout legal battle
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The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled on Friday that half of Ed Orgeron’s LSU buyout belongs to his ex-wife, Kelly Orgeron.
The ruling awards $8.13 million to Kelly Orgeron. The couple was still married on Jan. 14, 2020, when the former LSU head coach signed a lucrative extension with the Tigers. Orgeron was fired without cause by LSU the next year, resulting in a buyout of close to $17 million.
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in favor of Kelly Orgeron. Here’s an excerpt of the majority opinion from Justice Jefferson Hughes:
The liquidated damages clause was one that all parties likely hoped would never need to be used. However, it served as a form of insurance—a security blanket, if you will—or a “golden parachute.” The coach and his wife were provided with comfort, assurance, confidence, and peace of mind that—even if his coaching was highly unsuccessful, or if the school chose to part ways for reasons not deemed “for cause”—he would not leave empty-handed.
This reassurance benefited both the husband and wife, as is common in the world of college football coaching. Because this security blanket was established in the Employment Agreement during the marriage, it constituted community property, like any other community asset.
This decision overturned previous rulings in favor of Ed Orgeron by lower courts.
Orgeron has not coached in college football since he was fired by LSU back in 2021. He led the program to its most recent National Championship back in 2019.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
