Conflicting report emerges on Ed Orgeron's potential interest in Northwestern head coach job

With just seven weeks until it starts the 2023 season, Northwestern finds itself starting a coaching search. The Wildcats fired longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald earlier this week in light of hazing allegations within the program, and some interesting names have come up as potential candidates.

But perhaps the most intriguing name didn’t coach last season. According to Bradley Locker of InsideNU, former LSU coach Ed Orgeron “would have interest” in the Northwestern job if the Wildcats decide to make a run at him.

UPDATE: The Athletic and FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman later reported there is “no truth” to the report about Orgeron’s interest in the Northwestern job.

Orgeron most recently served as the head coach at LSU from 2016-21 and led the Tigers to a national championship in 2019. He and the university came to an agreement to leave the program following the 2021 season after back-to-back .500 seasons immediately following the national title.

Locker added Orgeron hasn’t been contacted by Northwestern yet as the Wildcats start their search to replace Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald, one of the most decorated players in Northwestern history, served as the Wildcats head coach for 17 seasons and became the program’s winningest coach. His tenure came to an end Monday when NU president Michael Schill fired him for cause after an investigation found hazing within the program. Schill initially suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay before reversing course and ultimately firing him.

That decision sparked a legal battle. Fitzgerald hired a big-name lawyer as he prepares to take action against the university. On3’s Andy Staples reported he had $42 million left on his contract at the time of his firing, which came two years into a new 10-year deal he signed after taking Northwestern to the Big Ten Championship in 2020.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman broke down a list of possible candidates at Northwestern, including Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. The Wildcats named defensive coordinator David Braun — who was hired in January from North Dakota State — as acting head coach for the time being. A decision on the interim head coach could come later this week, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported Tuesday night.

Schill and Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg met with the Wildcats players Tuesday night for more than an hour about the decision to fire Fitzgerald, Zenitz said. They had the chance to ask questions and some players voiced their desire for Braun to be named interim head coach.

The decision to fire Fitzgerald comes just two weeks before Big Ten Media Days. Three players are set to represent Northwestern in Indianapolis, but it’s still unclear who will take the podium when the head coaches speak.