Orgeron returns to Ensminger to run offense

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU coach Ed Orgeron insists that he always thought of Steve Ensminger as a top candidate for offensive coordinator.

Orgeron offered a mea culpa Thursday, saying he only demoted Ensminger back to tight ends coach in 2017 to fulfill a pledge to hire big-name offensive coach who could bring a fresh, innovative scheme to LSU.

Orgeron’s hiring of Matt Canada didn’t work out, and Orgeron cannot explain why because LSU’s $1.7 million settlement bars public discussion of the reasons for Canada’s departure after only one season.

However, Orgeron was at liberty to assert that putting the offense back in the hands of an assistant with whom he’s worked well before is the right move now. File, John Raoux /

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron (center) will reintroduce Steve Ensminger as LSU’s offensive coordinator, a post he held on an interim basis in 2016. AP

“When I got the job, I remember saying that I was going to find the best offensive coordinator in the country,” Orgeron said. “I did all I could do.

“Things didn’t work out and we moved on,” Orgeron continued.

“Steve Ensminger is the best coordinator for LSU.”

When Orgeron was named interim head coach after Les Miles was fired four games into the 2016 season, he promoted Ensminger from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator.

Even though the Tigers averaged 465 yards and 32 points in Ensminger’s eight games overseeing the offensive, Orgeron opted to go in another direction 12 months ago, luring Canada away from Pittsburgh.

After a 21-17 Citrus Bowl loss to Notre Dame on Jan. 1, Canada was effectively fired.

His resume will say that LSU averaged 411 yards and 27 points per game while going 9-4 in 2017.