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Ed Orgeron hoisted the trophy after the LSU Tigers defeated the Clemson Tigers in the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship game.
But just 21 months after coaching the 2019 LSU team to a perfect 15-0 record and a national title, and helping build one of the greatest college football teams in history, LSU announced that Orgeron would leave the program at the end of this season.
Orgeron reflected on his memorable championship run with LSU. During a recent appearance on “Andy & Ari On3,” the former Tigers coach made the bold claim that the 2019 team was superior to any other college football team ever assembled.
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LSU coach Ed Orgeron watches the video board during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Michael Clubb/AP Photo)
“There are some really good teams,” Orgeron said. “But that team we had, I didn’t see the talent.” said Orgeron.
“Especially when you look at Joe Burrow, you look at Ja’Marr Chase, you look at Justin Jefferson and see what they’re doing in the NFL. Now, obviously, there were one or two players that could have played with us or been stars on our team, but overall, that collection of talent – now, the 2001 Miami team, that was a great team, a great collection of talent. I think they need to be mentioned.”
Orgeron was an assistant coach on the 2001 Miami Hurricanes team that won the Bowl Championship Series national title.
LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron share a moment on stage before the trophy presentation after winning the CFP National Championship game between the LSU Tigers and the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Joe Burrow was the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The same year, the Minnesota Vikings used a first-round pick on Justin Jefferson, who became the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Ja’Marr Chase joined Burrow in Cincinnati when the Bengals selected him 5th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“They always talk about who’s the better team? I say, ‘Hey, you have to win on the field.’ It’s never been done, but I think these guys have been great,” Orgeron added.
Ed Orgeron, then head coach of the LSU Tigers, talks with quarterback Joe Burrow after a victory against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)
While the 2019 LSU team’s undefeated record is notable, the team is also remembered for its dominance heading into the national championship game. The Tigers never fell behind an opponent in a fourth quarter that year. The team also broke the all-time record in college football.
