Louisiana Supreme Court Tackles Former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron’s Divorce

The divorce of former LSU Football Head Coach Ed Orgeron is being argued this week in front of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Attorneys from both Ed Orgeron, and his ex-wife Kelly Orgeron, have been presenting their cases to the high court. At the center of the argument is a massive contract agreed to between Ed Orgeron and LSU.

Ed Orgeron's Historic LSU Season's Role in Divorce Case

Back in 2019, Ed Oregon led the LSU Football program to its greatest season in program history. Arguably, the greatest single season for any program in college football history. The team went 15-0, winning the SEC Championship game 37-10 over Georgia, the Playoff Semifinal against Oklahoma 63-28, and the National Championship game against Clemson 42-25. Many of those key games weren't even as close as the final blowout scores might suggest.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow would earn the Heisman Trophy, only the second in school history at the time (Billy Cannon before him in 1959, and Jayden Daniels after him in 2023). The team was loaded beyond just Burrow, with All-American honors for Ja'Marr Chase, Grant Delpit, Derek Stingley Jr, and Lloyd Cushenberry. Many of those players also landed major awards for the season.

After the season, Ed Oregon was given a 6-year, $42 million contract extension. At that point, he had been coaching LSU since 2016 and had a record of 40-9 through 2019. This new contact was signed just days after the National Championship game.

Tumultuous Seasons Lead to Orgeron's LSU Exit

But before the 2020 season could start, the LSU Football program was going to face numerous issues. Obviously the global pandemic threw college classes, program practices, and everyone's lives into disarray. Add into that, natural disasters further impacted the LSU season. Including Hurricane Delta forcing a game out of Baton Rouge just days before kickoff.

On a more localized, less serious scale, the LSU Football program was without Burrow, and many of the other superstars from the National Championship team.

The 2020 season, a reduced season due to the pandemic, saw Orgeron and the Tigers go 5-5 in all SEC-play. That also included the announcement of a "self imposed" bowl ban due to an NCAA Investigation surrounding improper booster payments. Going into 2021, LSU had another controversy brewing, as the investigation into the sexual assault allegations surrounding former LSU player Derrius Guice. During his time at LSU, he was accused of multiple crimes, and it was argued that Guice was never disciplined by Orgeron, or LSU.

By the time LSU had been virtually eliminated from the College Football Playoff in 2021, Orgeron and LSU had agreed to part ways. This included a buyout for the rest of his 6-year, $42 million contract.

LSU Buyout Central to Ed Orgeron Divorce Argument

Which is exactly what is at the heart of this bitter divorce trial that has made its way to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Ed Orgeron filed for divorce from his wife Kelly not long after winning the National Championship, and signing the massive $42 million contract extension. In fact, the arguments from lawyers are based in that timing.

According to Nola.com, Ed Orgeron's lawyer has argued in court that there was 43 days between the agreement on the new LSU contract, and the divorce filing. Ed Orgeron's lawyer Randy Smith argued that the contract extension was based on future work, and not previous performance. Which is why lower courts have ruled that Kelly Orgeron is not entitled to any part of the buyout LSU gave Ed Orgeron when they terminated him.

Louisiana Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Orgeron Divorce

Now, the Louisiana Supreme Court will have to agree with those lower courts, or overturn their decisions. But they won't have a full bench as they decide this case. Because three Justices have recused themselves from this case.

According to NOLA.com:

"Chief Justice John Weimer wrote in a recusal motion that he has 'a personal friendship with one of the parties,' while Justice John Michael Guidry wrote in a filing that he 'performed a judicial act in a related cause in another court.' Justice Will Crain did not elaborate on his reasons for recusing, and in his motion referenced the state's Code of Civil Procedure to 'avoid the appearance of bias or prejudice'."

They will be replaced by retired judges. Including former Third Circuit Court of Appeal judge John Conery, former state Supreme Court justice Joseph Bleich, and former 22nd Judicial District judge Martin Coady.

Arguments started this week, and there is no current timeline for a decision to be made.