Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, known commonly as “Coach O,” brought his signature energy to a New Orleans wedding celebration on June 29, going shirtless on the dance floor in a now-viral video.
The spectacle came just days after a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling ordered him to pay his ex-wife $8.13 million from his LSU buyout, nearly half of the $17 million he received when the university fired him.
Coach O Turns Wedding Into Championship Celebration in Viral Video
The weekend festivities in New Orleans showcased vintage Ed Orgeron energy. While celebrating a former LSU staffer’s wedding, a now-viral video captured the former coach delivering a classic shout-out to the crowd before offering heartfelt praise for his beloved Tigers.
The celebration reached peak intensity when Orgeron shed his shirt and commandeered the dance floor, treating the wedding reception like a championship after-party. The display exemplified the charismatic personality that made him a fan favorite during his tenure in Baton Rouge.
Former #LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was back in Louisiana last night to celebrate a former Tigers staffer’s wedding in New Orleans.
Safe to say Coach O enjoyed himself back in the Bayou State on Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/E4NpuqgyWg
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) June 29, 2025
The wedding celebration provided a stark contrast to the legal drama that unfolded just days earlier. On Friday, June 27, the Louisiana Supreme Court delivered a 5-2 decision that could significantly impact the former LSU coach’s finances.
The court determined that Orgeron must pay his ex-wife, Kelly Orgeron, $8.13 million because they were still married when he signed a lucrative contract extension in January 2020. The extension rewarded him for leading the Tigers to an undefeated 2019 season and College Football Playoff championship.
However, Orgeron filed for divorce just six weeks after signing the deal. When divorce proceedings began, the university’s board had not yet officially approved the contract, creating a legal gray area that ultimately favored Kelly Orgeron’s claim.
The Supreme Court ruling overturned a 2024 lower court decision that previously sided with the former coach. Notably, three justices involved in the case were temporary replacements due to recusals, adding another layer of complexity to the proceedings.
Orgeron’s coaching career at LSU began when he took over midway through the 2016 season after Les Miles’ dismissal. He led the Tigers to a 6-2 finish. He compiled 28 wins over the 2017 and 2018 seasons before orchestrating LSU’s magical 15-0 championship run in 2019.
That championship squad, featuring offensive stars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, averaged 48.4 points per game while dominating opponents. Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy after LSU defeated Georgia 37-10 in the SEC Championship Game.
The program’s momentum dissipated rapidly following the title. LSU struggled to a 5-5 record in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and managed just a 6-6 mark in 2021. Midway through the 2021 campaign, the university announced that Orgeron would not return for 2022 after the team started 3-3.
Since his departure from LSU, Orgeron has remained out of college coaching, leaving his future in the profession uncertain as he navigates this latest legal and financial challenge.
