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Ed Orgeron hoists 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 assemble one of the greatest college football teams in history, LSU announced that Orgeron would be leaving the program at the end of that 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.
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LSU coach Ed Orgeron looks up at the video board during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Michael Clubb/AP Photo)
“There are some great teams out there,” Orgeron said. “But the team we had – I haven’t seen the talent.” Orgeron said.
“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 there were obviously 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 for them.”
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 top overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. That same year, the Minnesota Vikings used a first-round draft pick on Justin Jefferson, who went on to become the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Ja’Marr Chase joined Burrow in Cincinnati when the Bengals selected him No. 5 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“They always talk about who’s the best team? I say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to win it on the field.’ It’s never been done, but I think those guys were great,” Orgeron added.
Then-LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron talks with quarterback Joe Burrow after a win against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game in 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 leading up to the national championship game. The Tigers never trailed an opponent in any fourth quarter that year. The team also broke college football’s all-time scoring record.
