Advertisement

LSU owes millions in buyouts to Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff

LSU owes football coach Ed Orgeron’s staff a combined $9.5 million in buyouts, based on contracts obtained by the Daily Advertiser.

The contracts are subject to mitigation should a staff member accept a position at another school, which reduces LSU’s financial obligations.

Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is LSU’s highest-paid assistant at $1.3 million per year in total compensation. Jones, formerly the Minnesota Vikings secondary coach, agreed to a two-year deal in January that included a one-time payment of $150,000.

Offensive coordinator Jake Peetz, who also joined the staff in January, signed a two-year contract valued at $1.2 million annually. Peetz was hired away from the Carolina Panthers, where he worked with former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady.

LSU hired offensive line coach Brad Davis from Arkansas in June to a three-year contract worth $810,000 per year. Davis is the highest-paid position coach on the staff and the only assistant with a contract through the 2023 season.

The LSU Tigers take on the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.   Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

Lsu Vs Florida Football 2 4799
The LSU Tigers take on the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Lsu Vs Florida Football 2 4799

Assistants whose contracts expire on March 31, 2023, include Jones, Peetz, linebackers coach Blake Baker, defensive line coach Andre Carter, assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph, passing game coordinator D.J. Mangas and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond.

Running backs coach Kevin Faulk and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon have deals that expire on March 31, 2022.

Tommy Moffitt, LSU’s strength and conditioning coordinator since 2000, is working under a contract that expires on June 30, 2022. Moffitt was part of three national championship staffs under Orgeron, Les Miles, and Nick Saban.

LSU is already paying significant buyouts to former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini ($4 million) and Scott Linehan ($1 million), formerly the passing game coordinator. Orgeron fired both coaches following a disappointing 5-5 finish in 2020.

James Cregg, formerly LSU’s offensive line coach, is suing the school for breach of contract. LSU parted ways with Cregg in June after he admitted to violating NCAA recruiting rules.

Cregg was entering the final year of a contract that paid him $700,000 per year.

Orgeron reached a separation agreement with LSU on Sunday that will end his six-year tenure after the season. His record is 49-17, including a 15-0 finish and national championship in 2019.

LSU owes Orgeron a $16.9 million buyout to be paid in 18 installments through Dec. 2025. The separation agreement includes a provision preventing Orgeron from taking another SEC head-coaching job for 18 months.

Adam Hunsucker covers LSU for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at ahunsucker@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @adam_hunsucker.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Ed Orgeron’s LSU football staff owed millions in buyouts