Ed Orgeron contract: What is Ed Orgeron’s buyout if fired by LSU?

If LSU decides to part ways with head coach Ed Orgeron, they will have to buy him out. How much will Orgeron’s buyout be if he’s fired?

After another loss to a ranked opponent, the hourglass for how much longer Ed Orgeron will remain LSU’s head coach is quickly waning. The 3-2 Tigers opened their season with a loss to UCLA and took another blow to the chin last weekend when they lost to No. 18 Auburn. With each loss, dating back to last season, many are clamoring for the departure of the championship-winning coach.

For what it’s worth, Orgeron has been extremely successful in Baton Rouge: in his six years coaching the Tigers, he’s led them to a 48-16 record including going 15-0 in 2019 that came with a National Championship. But since then, LSU is 8-7 with three losses to ranked opponents.

This season, LSU’s offensive and defensive units have struggled: they feature the 84th-best offensive attack in the nation and struggle incredibly on the ground, where they are ranked 128th in the nation. On defense, they’re right in the middle of the pack; with the 65th best defense — they find themselves 93rd in passing yards allowed (per ncaa.com). Not good at all.

What is Ed Orgeron’s buyout?

Getting rid of the 2019 AP Coach of the Year isn’t going to be an easy task at all. After he led the Tigers to the National Championship in 2019, LSU signed Orgeron to a six-year extension worth around $42 million. According to 247Sports.com, his $8.9 million salary for the year puts him third on the highest-paid coaches list behind only Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher.

Orgeron, according to the Advocate, is owed 70% of whatever remains on the contract if LSU was to seek a buyout. This being the second year of the contract, Orgeron could collect a sum of $21 million if he’s let go — making this a very costly buyout indeed.

When LSU will look to cut ties is another question if they so choose to but with a series of matches against ranked opponents, Orgeron might find himself firmly on the hot seat soon. The Tigers will see No. 16 Kentucky, No. 20 Florida and No. 17 Mississippi in consecutive weeks.

#note from the writer: the Yahoo article initially linked to this assignment had the buyout number at $17 mill, but based on the Advocate and other resources, $21 mill seems closer to the accurate number.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.